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THE PIOHEEES 

I 


THE SOURCES OF THE SUSQUEHANNA 


% 3@EScriptibe ®ale 



J. FENIMORE COOPER 

I ) 


“ Extremes of habits, manners, time, and space. 
Brought close together, here stood face to face. 
And gave at once a contrast to the view. 

That other lands and ages never knew.” 

Paulding 


NEW YOEK : 46 East 14Tn Street 

THOMAS Y. CROWELL & COMPANY 

BOSTON : 100 Purchase Street 




N 


Copyright, 1896, 

By THOMAS Y. CKOWELL & CO. 


Norfajaoti 53rcs3 

J. S. Cushing & Co. — Berwick & Smith 
Norwood Mass. U.S.A. 


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 


DRAWINGS BY FRANK T. MERRILL. 

“ I didn’t come here as your enemy, Leather-stocking ” 

(p. 350) . . . . . . . . Frontispiece 

His dogs were following quietly in his footsteps ” (p. 16) 

> Vignette Title 

‘‘ During this conversation, an incision had been made 

through the skin of the young hunter’s shoulder” . p. 74 

“ The youth had advanced, and was kindly directing her 

footsteps ” p. 136 


iii 



y#'- , •%, . 






INTRODUCTION. 


As this work professes, in its title-page, to be a descrip- 
tive tale, they who will take the trouble to read it may be 
glad to know how much of its contents is literal fact, and 
how much is intended to represent a general picture. The 
Author is very sensible that, had he confined himself to 
the latter, always the most effective, as it is the most valu- 
able, mode of conveying knowledge of this nature, he would 
have made a far better book. But in commencing to 
describe scenes, and perhaps he may add characters, that 
were so familiar to his own youth, there was a constant 
temptation to delineate that which he had known, rather 
than that which he might have imagined. This rigid ad- 
hesion to truth, an indispensable requisite in history and 
travels, destroys the charm of fiction; for all that is neces- 
sary to be conveyed to the mind by the latter had better 
be done by delineations of principles, and of characters in 
their classes, than by a too fastidious attention to originals. 

New York having but one county of Otsego, and the 
Susquehanna but one proper source, there can be no mis- 
take as to the site of the tale. The history of this district 
of country, so far as it is connected with civilized men, is 
soon told. 

Otsego, in common with most of the interior of the 


V 


VI 


INTRODUCTION. 


province of New York, was included in the county of 
Albany, previously to the war of the separation. It then 
became, in a subsequent division of territory, a part of 
Montgomery; and, finally, having obtained a sufiicient 
population of its own, it was set apart as a county by 
itself, shortly after the peace of 1783. It lies among those 
low spurs of the Alleghanies which cover the midland 
counties of New York ; and it is a little east of a meridi- 
onal line drawn through the centre of the state. As the 
waters of New York either flow southerly into the Atlantic 
or northerly into Ontario, and its outlet, Otsego Lake, 
being the source of the Susquehanna, is, of necessity, 
among its highest lands. The face of the country, the 
climate as it was found by the whites, and the manners of 
the settlers, are described with a minuteness for which the 
Author has no other apology than the force of his own 
recollections. 

Otsego is said to be a word compounded of Ot, a place 
of meeting, and Sego, or Sago, the ordinary term of salu- 
tation used by the Indians of this region. There is a 
tradition which says, that the neighboring tribes were 
accustomed to meet on the banks of the lake to make their 
treaties, and otherwise to strengthen their alliances, and 
which refers the name to this practice. As the Indian 
agent of New York had a log dwelling at the foot of the 
lake, however, it is not impossible that the appellation 
grew out of the meetings that were held at his council 
fires; the war drove off the agent, in common with the 
other officers of the crown; and his rude dwelling was 
soon abandoned. The Author remembers it a few years 
later, reduced to the humble office of a -smoke-house. 


INTKODUCTION. 


vii 

In 1779, an expedition was sent against the hostile 
Indians, who dwelt about a hundred miles west of Otsego, 
on the banks of the Cayuga. The whole country was then 
a wilderness, and it was necessary to transport the baggage 
of the troops by means of the rivers — a devious but prac- 
ticable route. One brigade ascended the Mohawk, until it 
.reached the point nearest to the sources of the Susque- 
hanna; whence it cut a lane through the forest to the head 
of the Otsego. The boats and baggage were carried over 
this ^‘portage,’’ and the troops proceeded to the other 
extremity of the lake, where they disembarked, and 
encamped. The Susquehanna, a narrow though rapid 
stream at its source, was much filled with ‘‘flood wood,’^ 
or fallen trees; and the troops adopted a novel expedient 
to facilitate their passage. The Otsego is about nine miles 
in length, varying in breadth from half a mile to a mile and 
a half. The water is of great depth, limpid, and supplied 
from a thousand springs. At its foot, the banks are rather 
less than thirty feet high; the remainder of its margin 
being in mountains, intervals, and points. The outlet, or 
the Susquehanna, flows through a gorge in the low banks 
just mentioned which may have a width of two hundred 
feet. This gorge was dammed, and the waters of the lake 
collected : the Susquehanna was converted into a rill. When 
all was ready, the troops embarked, the dam was knocked 
away, the Otsego poured out its torrent, and the boats went 
merrily down with the current. 

General James Clinton, the brother of George Clinton, 
then governor of New York, and the father of De Witt 
Clinton, who died governor of the same state in 1827, com- 
manded the brigade employed on this duty. During the 


Vlll 


INTRODUCTION. 


stay of the troops at the foot of the Otsego a soldier was 
shot for desertion. The grave of this unfortunate man was 
the first place of human interment that the Author ever 
beheld, as the smoke-house was the first ruin. The swivel 
alluded to in this work was buried and abandoned by the 
troops on this occasion; and it was subsequently found in 
digging the cellars of the Author’s paternal residence. 

Soon after the close of the war, Washington, accompanied 
by many distinguished men, visited the scene of this tale, 
it is said, with a view to examine the facilities for opening 
a communication by water with other points of the country. 
He stayed but a few hours. 

In 1785, the Author’s father, who had an interest in 
extensive tracts of land in this wilderness, arrived with a 
party of surveyors. The manner in which the scene met 
his eye is described by Judge Temple. At the commence- 
ment of the following year the settlement began ; and from 
that time to this the country has continued to flourish. It 
is a singular feature in American life, that, at the begin- 
ning of this century, when the proprietor of the estate had 
occasion for settlers on a new settlement, and in a remote 
county, he was enabled to draw them from among the 
increase of the former colony. 

Although the settlement of this part of Otsego a little 
preceded the birth of the Author, it was not sufficiently 
advanced to render it desirable that an event, so important 
to himself, should take place in the wilderness. Perhaps 
his mother had a reasonable distrust of the practice of Dr. 
Todd, who must then have been in the novitiate of his 
experimental acquirements. Be that as it may, the Author 
was brought an infant into this valley, and all his first 


INTRODUCTION. 


IX 


impressions were here obtained. He has inhabited it ever 
since, at intervals; and he thinks he can answer for the 
faithfulness of the picture he has drawn. 

Otsego has now become one of the most populous districts 
of New York. It sends forth its emigrants like any other 
old region; and it is pregnant with industry and enter- 
prise. Its manufactures are prosperous; and it is worthy 
of remark, that one of the most ingenious machines known 
in European art is derived from the keen ingenuity which 
is exercised in this remote region. 

In order to prevent mistake, it may be well to say that 
the incidents of this tale are purely a fiction. The literal 
facts are chiefiy connected with the natural and artificial 
objects, and the customs of the inhabitants. Thus the 
academy, and court-house, and jail, and inn, and most 
similar things, are tolerably exact. They have all, long 
since, given place to other buildings of a more pretending 
character. There is also some liberty taken with the truth 
in the description of the principal dwelling : the real build- 
ing had no “ firstly and ^Hastly.^^ It was of bricks, and 
not of stone; and its roof exhibited none of the peculiar 
beauties of the ‘‘composite order.” It was erected in an 
age too primitive for that ambitious school of architecture. 
But the Author indulged his recollections freely when he 
had fairly entered the door. Here all is literal, even to the 
severed arm of Wolfe, and the urn which held the ashes of 
Queen Dido.^ 

1 Though forests still crown the mountains of Otsego, the bear, the wolf, 
and the panther are nearly strangers to them. Even the innocent deer is 
rarely seen bounding beneath their arches ; for the rifle, and the activity 
of the settlers, have driven them to other haunts. To this change (which, 
in some particulars, is melancholy to one who knew the country in its in- 


X 


INTRODUCTION. 


The Author has elsewhere said that the character of 
Leather-stocking is a creation, rendered probable by such 
auxiliaries as were necessary to produce that effect. Had 
he drawn still more upon fancy, the lovers of fiction would 
not have so much cause for their objections to his work. 
Still the picture would not have been in the least true, 
without some substitutes for most of the other personages. 
The great proprietor resident on his lands, and giving his 
name to, instead of receiving it from his estates, as in 
Europe, is common over the whole of Hew York. The 
physician, with his theory, rather obtained than corrected 
by experiments on the human constitution; the pious, self- 
denying, laborious, and ill-paid missionary ; the half- 
educated, litigious, envious, and disreputable lawyer, with 
his counterpoise, a brother of the profession, of better 
origin and of better character; the shiftless, bargaining, 
discontented seller of his “ betterments ; the plausible 
carpenter, and most of the others, are more familiar to all 
who have ever dwelt in a new country. 

It may be well to say here, a little more explicitly, that 
there was no intention to describe with particular accuracy 
any real characters in this book. It has been often said, 
and in published statements, that the heroine of this book 
was drawn after a sister of the writer, who was killed by a 
fall from a horse now near half a century since. So ingen- 
ious is conjecture, that a personal resemblance has been 
discovered between the fictitious character and the deceased 
relative ! It is scarcely possible to describe two females of 
the same class in life, who would be less alike, personally, 

fancy) it maybe added, that the Otsego is beginning to be a niggard of its 
treasures. 


INTRODUCTION. 


XI 


than Elizabeth Temple and the sister of the Author who 
met with the deplorable fate mentioned. In a word, they 
were as unlike in this respect, as in history, character, and 
fortunes. 

Circumstances rendered this sister singularly dear to the 
Author. After a lapse of half a century, he is writing this 
paragraph with a pain that would induce him to cancel it, 
were it not still more painful to have it believed that one 
whom he regarded with a reverence that surpassed the love 
of a brother, was converted by him into the heroine of a 
work of fiction. 

Erom circumstances which, after this introduction, will 
be obvious to all, the Author has had more pleasure in 
writing ‘‘ The Pioneers ” than the book will, probably, ever 
give any of its readers. He is quite aware of its numerous 
faults, some of which he has endeavored to repair in this 
edition; but as he has — in intention, at least — done his 
full share in amusing the world, he trusts to its good nature 
for overlooking this attempt to please himself. 


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THE PIONEEES, 


OR THE 

t 

t SOURCES OF THE SUSQUEHANNA. 

1 

I CHAPTER I. 

See, Winter comes, to rule the varied year. 

Sullen and sad, with all his rising train ; 

Vapors, and clouds, and storms. 

Thomson. 

Near the centre of the state of New York lies an ex- 

. tensive district of country, whose surface is a succession 
of hills and dales, or, to speak with greater deference to 
geographical definitions, of mountains and valleys. It is 
among these hills that the Delaware takes its rise; and 
following from the limpid lakes and thousand springs of 
this region, the numerous sources of the Susquehanna 
meander through the valleys, until, uniting their streams, 
they form one of the proudest rivers of the United States. 
The mountains are generally arable to the tops, although 
instances are not wanting where the sides are jutted with 
rocks, that aid greatly in giving to the country that roman- 
tic and picturesque character which it so eminently pos- 
sesses. The vales are narrow, rich, and cultivated; with 
a stream uniformly winding through each. Beautiful and 
thriving villages are found interspersed along the margins 
of the small lakes, or situated at those points of the streams 
which are favorable to manufacturing; and neat and com- 
fortable farms, with every indication of wealth about them, 
are scattered profusely through the vales, and even to the 
mountain tops, Boads diverge in every direction, from the 

B ' 1 


2 


THE PIONEERS. 


even and graceful bottoms of the valleys, to the most rugged 
and intricate passes of the hills. Academies, and minor 
edifices of learning, meet the eye of the stranger at every 
few miles, as he winds his way through this uneven terri- 
tory; and places for the worship, of God abound with that 
frequency which characterizes a moral and reflecting people, 
and with that variety of exterior and canonical government 
which flows from unfettered liberty of conscience. In short, 
the whole district is hourly exhibiting how much can be 
done, in even a rugged country, and with a severe climate, 
under the dominion of mild laws, and where every man 
feels a direct interest in the prosperity of a commonwealth, 
of which he knows himself to form a part. The expedients 
of the pioneers who first broke ground in the settlement of 
this country, are succeeded by the permanent improvements 
of the yeoman, who intends to leave his remains to moulder 
under the sod which he tills, or, perhaps, of the son, who, 
born in the land, piously wishes to linger around the grave 
of his father. Only forty years ^ have passed since this 
territory was a wilderness. 

Very soon after the establishment of the independence of 
the States, by the peace of 1783, the enterprise of their 
citizens was directed to a development of the natural ad- 
vantages of their widely extended dominions. Before the 
war of the Eevolution the inhabited parts of the colony of 
New York were limited to less than a tenth of its posses- 
sions. A narrow belt of country, extending for a short 
distance on either side of the Hudson, with a similar occu- 
pation of fifty miles on the banks of the Mohawk, together 
with the islands of Nassau and Staten, and a few insulated 
settlements on chosen land along the margins of streams, 
composed the country, which was then inhabited by less 
•than two hundred thousand souls. Within the short period 
we have mentioned, the population has spread itself over 
five degrees of latitude and seven of longitude, and has 
swelled to a million and a half of inhabitants,^ who are 
maintained in abundance, and can look forward to ages 

1 The book was written in 1823. 

2 The population of New York is now (1831) quite 2,000,000. 


THE PIONEERS. 8 

before the evil clay must arrive, when their possessions shall 
become unequal to their wants. 

Our tale begins in 1793, about seven years after the com- 
mencement of one of the earliest of those settlements, which 
have conduced to effect that magical change in the power 
and condition of the state, to which we have alluded. 

It was near the setting of the sun, on a clear, cold day in 
December, when a sleigh was moving slowly up one of the 
mountains, in the district we have described. The day had 
been fine for the season, and but two or three large clouds, 
whose color seemed brightened by the light reflected from 
the mass of snow that covered the earth, floated in a sky of 
the purest blue. The road wound along the brow of a jmeci- 
pice, and on one side was upheld by a foundation of logs, 
piled one upon the other, while a narrow excavation in the 
mountain, in the opposite direction, had made a passage of 
sufficient width for the ordinary travelling of that day. 
But logs, excavation, and everything that did not reach 
several feet above the earth, lay alike buried beneath the 
snow. A single track, barely wide enough to receive the 
sleigh,^ denoted the route of the highway, and this was 
sunk nearly two feet below the surrounding surface. In 
the vale, which lay at a distance of several hundred feet 
lower, there was what in the language of the country was 
called a clearing, and all the usual improvements of a 
new settlement; these even extended up the hill to the 
point where the road turned short and ran across the level 
land, which lay on the summit of the mountain; but the 
summit itself remained in forest. There was a glittering 

1 Sleigh is the word used in every part of the United States to denote 
a traineau. It is of local use in the west of England^ whence it is^ most 
probably derived by the Americans. The latter draw a distinction between 
a sled, or sledge, and a sleigh, the sleigh being shod with metal. Sleighs 
are also subdivided into two-horse and one-horse sleighs. Of the latter, 
there are the cutter, with thills so arranged as to permit the horse to travel 
in the side track; the “ pung ” or “ tow-pung,” which is driven with a pole ; 
and the “gumper,” a rude construction used for temporary purposes, in 
the new countries. 

Many of the American sleighs are elegant, though the use of this mode 
of conveyance is much lessened with the melioration of the climate conse- 
quent on the clearing of the forests. 


4 


THE PIOKEERS. 


in the atmosphere, as if it were filleJ with innumerable 
shining particles; and the noble bay horses that drew the 
sleigh were covered, in many parts, with a coat of hoar 
frost. The vapor from their nostrils was seen to issue like 
smoke; and every object in the view, as well as every 
arrangement of the travellers, denoted the depth of a win- 
ter in the mountains. The harness, which was of a deep 
dull black, differing from the glossy varnishing of the 
present day, was ornamented with enormous plates and 
buckles of brass, that shone like gold in those transient 
beams of the sun, which found their way obliquely through 
the tops of the trees. Huge saddles, studded with nails, 
and fitted with cloth that served as blankets to the shoulders 
of the cattle, supported four high, square-topped turrets, 
through which the stout reins led from the mouths of the 
horses to the hands of the driver, who was a negro, of 
apparently twenty years of age. His face, which nature 
had colored with a glistening black, was now mottled with 
the cold, and his large shining eyes filled with tears; a 
tribute to its power, that the keen frosts of those regions 
always extracted from one of his African origin. Still 
there was a smiling expression of good humor in his happy 
countenance, that w'as created by the thoughts of home, and 
a Christmas fire-side, with its Christmas frolics. The 
sleigh was one of those large, comfortable, old-fashioned 
conveyances, which would admit a whole family within its 
bosom, but which now contained only two passengers besides 
the driver. The color of its outside was a modest green, and 
that of its inside a fiery red. The latter was intended to 
convey the idea of heat in that cold climate. Large buffalo- 
skins, trimmed around the edges with red cloth, cut into fes- 
toons, covered the back of the sleigh, and were spread over 
its bottom, and drawn up around the feet of the travellers 
— one of whom was a man of middle age, and the other a 
female, just entering upon womanhood. The former was of 
a large stature ; but the precautions he had taken to guard 
against the cold left but little of his person exposed to view. 
A great coat, that was abundantly ornamented by a profu- 
sion of furs, enveloped the whole of his figure, excepting 


THE PIONEERS. 


5 


the head, which was covered with a cap of marten-skins, 
lined with morocco, the sides of which Avere made to fall, 
if necessary, and were now draAvn close over the ears, and 
fastened beneath his chin with a black riband. The top of 
the cap was surmounted with the tail of the animal whose 
skin had furnished the rest of the materials, which fell 
back, not ungracefully, a few inches behind the head. 
From beneath this mask were to be seen part of a line 
manly face, and particularly a pair of expressive, large 
blue eyes, that promised extraordinary intellect, covert 
humor, and great benevolence. The form of his companion 
was literally hid beneath the garments she wore. There 
were furs and silks peeping from under a large camlet 
cloak, with a thick flannel lining, that, by its cut and size, 
was evidently intended for a masculine wearer. A huge 
hood of black silk, that was quilted with down, concealed 
the whole of her head, except at a small opening in front 
for breath, through which occasionally sparkled a pair of 
animated jet-black eyes. 

Both the father and daughter (for such was the con- 
nexion between the two travellers) were too much occupied 
with their reflections to break a stillness that received 
little or no interruption from the easy gliding of the sleigh, 
by the sound of their voices. The former was thinking of 
the wife that had held this their only child to her bosom, 
when, four years before, she had reluctantly consented to 
relinquish the society of her daughter, in order that the 
latter might enjoy the advantages of an education, which 
the city of New York could only offer at that period. A 
few months afterwards death had deprived him of the 
remaining companion of his solitude; but still he had 
enough of real regard for his child, not to bring her into 
the comparative wilderness in which he dwelt, until the 
full period had expired to which he had limited her juve- 
nile labors. The reflections of the daughter were less mel- 
ancholy, and mingled with a pleased astonishment at the 
novel scenery she met at every turn in the road. 

The mountain on which they were journeying was cov- 
ered Avith pines, that rose without a branch some seventy 


6 


THE PIONEERS. 


or eighty feet, and which frequently doubled that height, 
by the addition of the tops. Through the innumerable 
vistas that opened beneath the lofty trees, the eye could 
penetrate, until it was met by a distant inequality in the 
ground, or was stopped by a view of the summit of the 
mountain, which lay on the opposite side of the valley to 
which they were hastening. The dark trunks of the trees 
rose from the pure white of the snow, in regularly formed 
shafts, until, at a great height, their branches shot forth 
horizontal limbs, that were covered with the meagre foliage 
of an evergreen, affording a melancholy contrast to the tor- 
por of nature below. To the travellers, there seemed to 
be no wind; but these pines waved majestically at their 
topmost boughs, sending forth a dull, plaintive sound, that 
was quite in consonance with the rest of the melancholy 
scene. 

The sleigh had glided for some distance along the even 
surface, and the gaze of the female was bent in inquisitive, 
and, perhaps, timid glances, into the recesses of the forest, 
when a loud and continued howling was heard, pealing 
under the long arches of the woods, like the cry of a nu- 
merous pack of hounds. The instant the sound reached the 
ears of the gentleman, he cried aloud to the black — 

“Hold up, Aggy; there is old Hector; I should know 
his bay among ten thousand! The Leather-stocking has 
put his hounds into the hills, this clear day, and they have 
started their game. There is a deer-track a few rods ahead; 
— and now, Bess, if thou canst muster courage enough to 
stand fire, I will give thee a saddle for thy Christmas 
dinner.” 

The black drew up, with a cheerful grin upon his chilled 
features, and began thrashing his arms together, in order 
to restore the circulation to his fingers, while the speaker 
stood erect, and, throwing aside his outer covering, stepped 
from the sleigh upon a bank of snow, which sustained his 
weight without yielding. 

In a few moments the speaker succeeded in extricating 
a double-barrelled fowling-piece from among a multitude 
of trunks and bandboxes. After throwing aside the thick 


THE PIONEERS. 


7 


mittens which had encased liis liands, that now appeared 
ill a pair of leather gloves tipped with fur, he examined 
his priming, and was about to move forward, when the 
light bounding noise of an animal plunging through the 
woods was heard, and a fine buck darted into the path, a 
short distance ahead of him. The appearance of the ani- 
mal was sudden, and his flight inconceivably rapid ; but the 
traveller appeared to be too keen a sportsman to be discon- 
certed by either. As it came first into view he raised the 
fowling-piece to his shoulder, and, with a practised eye 
and steady hand, drew a trigger. The deer dashed for- 
ward undaunted, and apparently unhurt. Without lower- 
I ing his piece, the traveller turned its muzzle towards his 
I victim, and fired again. Neither discharge, however, 

I seemed to have taken effect. 

! The whole scene had passed with a rapidity that con- 
fused the female, who was unconsciougly rejoicing in the 
escape of the buck, as he rather darted like a meteor, than 
ran across the road, when a sharp quick sound struck her 
ear, quite different from the full, round reports of her 
father’s gun, but still sufficiently distinct to be known as 
the concussion produced by fire-arms. At the same instant 
that she heard this unexpected report, the buck sprang from 
the snow to a great height in the air, and directly a second 
discharge, similar in sound to the first, followed, when the 
animal came to the earth, fallffig headlong, and rolling over 
on the crust with its own velocity. A loud shout was 
given by the unseen marksman, and a couple of men 
instantly appeared from behind the trunks of two of the 
pines, where they had evidently placed themselves in expec- 
tation of the passage of the deer. 

“Ha! Natty, had I known you were in ambush, I should 
not have fired,” cried the traveller, moving towards the 
spot where the deer lay — near to which he was followed 
by the delighted black, with his sleigh; “but the sound of 
old Hector was too exhilarating to be quiet ; though I 
hardly think I struck him either.” 

<‘]Sro — no — Judge,” returned the hunter, with an inward 
chuckle, and with that look of exultation that indicates a 


8 


THE PIONEERS. 


consciousness of superior skill ; “you burnt your powder 
only to warm your nose this cold evening. Did ye think 
to stop a full-grown buck, with Hector and the slut open 
upon him within sound, with that pop-gun in your hand? 
There’s plenty of pheasants among the swamps; and the 
snow-birds are flying round your own door, where you may 
feed them with crumbs, and shoot them at pleasure, any 
day; but if you’re for a buck, or a little bear’s meat. 
Judge, you’ll have to take the long rifle, with a greased 
wadding, or you’ll waste more powder than you’ll fill 
stomachs, I’m thinking.” 

As the speaker concluded, he drew his bare hand across 
the bottom of his nose, and again opened his enormous 
mouth with a kind of inward laugh. 

“ The gun scatters well. Natty, and it has killed a deer 
before now,” said the traveller, smiling good humoredly. 
“One barrel was charged with buck-shot; but the other 
was loaded for birds only. Here are two hurts ; one through 
the neck, and the other directly through the heart. It is by 
no means certain. Natty, but I gave him one of the two.” 

“Let who will kill him,” said the hunter, rather surlily, 
“I suppose the creature is to be eaten.” So saying, he 
drew a large knife from a leathern sheath, which was stuck 
through his girdle or sash, and cut the throat of the ani- 
mal. “If there are two balls through the deer, I would 
ask if there wer’n’t two rifles fired — besides, who ever saw 
such a ragged hole from a smooth-bore, as this through the 
neck? — and you will own yourself. Judge, that the buck 
fell at the last shot, Avhich was sent from a truer and a 
younger hand, than your’n or mine either; but for my part, 
although I am a poor man, I can live without the venison, 
but I don’t love to give up my lawful dues in a free coun- 
try. Though, for the matter of that, might often makes 
right here, as well as in the old country, for what I can see.” 

An air of sullen dissatisfaction pervaded the manner of 
the hunter during the whole of this speech ; yet he thought 
it prudent to utter the close of the sentence in such an 
undertone, as to leave nothing audible but the grumbling 
sounds of his voice. 


THE PIONEERS. 


9 


^'Nay, Natty,” rejoined the traveller, with undisturbed 
good humor, “ it is for the honor that I contend. A few 
dollars will pay for the venison; but what will requite me 
for the lost honor of a buck’s tail in my cap? Think, 
Natty, how I should triumph over that quizzing 'dog, Dick 
Jones, who has failed seven times already this season, and 
has only brought in one woodchuck and a few grey squirrels.” 

‘‘ Ah! the game is becoming hard to find, indeed. Judge, 
with your clearings and betterments,” said the old hunter, 
with a kind of compelled resignation. “ The time has been, 
when I have shot thirteen deer, without counting the fa’ ns, 
standing in the door of my own hut! — and for bear’s meat, 
if one wanted a ham or so, he had only to watch a-nights, 
and he could shoot one by moonlight, through the cracks of 
the logs; no fear of his over-sleeping himself neither, for 
the howling of the wolves was sartain to keep his eyes open. 
There’s old Hector,” — patting with affection a tall hound, 
of black and yellow spots, with white belly and legs, that 
just then came in on the scent, accompanied by the slut he 
had mentioned; ‘^see where the wolves bit his throat, the 
night I druv them from the venison that was smoking on 
the chimbly top ; — that dog is more to be trusted than 
many a Christian man; for he never forgets a friend, and 
loves the hand that gives him bread.” 

There was a peculiarity in the manner of the hunter that 
attracted the notice of the young female, who had been a 
close and interested observer of his appearance and equip- 
ments, from the moment he came into view. He was tall, 
and so meagre as to make him seem above even the six feet 
that he actually stood in his stockings. On his head, which 
was thinly covered with lank, sandy hair, he wore a cap 
made of foxskin, resembling in shape the one we have 
already described, although much inferior in finish and 
ornaments. His face was skinny, and thin almost to 
emaciation; but yet it bore no signs of disease; — on the 
contrary, it had every indication of the most robust and 
enduring health. The cold and the exposure had, together, 
given it a color of uniform red. His grey eyes were 
glancing under a pair of shaggy brows, that overhung 


10 


THE PIONEERS. 


them in long hairs of grey mingled with their natural hue; 
his scraggy neck was bare, and burnt to the same tint with 
his face; though a small part of a shirt collar, made of the 
country check, was to be seen above the over-dress he wore. 
A kind of coat, made of dressed deerskin, with the hair on, 
was belted close to his lank body, by a girdle of colored 
worsted. On his feet were deerskin moccasins, ornamented 
with porcupines’ quills, after the manner of the Indians, 
and his limbs were guarded with long leggings of the same 
material as the moccasins, which, gartering over the knees 
of his tarnished buckskin breeches, had obtained for him, 
among the settlers, the nickname of Leather-stocking. 
Over his left shoulder was slung a belt of deerskin, from 
which depended an enormous ox horn, so thinly scraped as 
to discover the powder it contained. The larger end was 
fitted ingeniously and securely with a wooden bottom, and | 
the other was stopped tight by a little plug. A leathern 
pouch hung before him, from which, as he concluded his last 
speech, he took a small measure, and, filling it accurately 
with powder, he commenced reloading the rifle, which, as 
its butt rested on the snow before him, reached nearly to 
the top of his foxskin cap. 

The traveller had been closely examining the wounds 
during these movements, and now, without heeding the ill 
humor of the hunter’s manner, he exclaimed — 

“ I would fain establish a right, Natty, to the honor of I 
this death; and surely if the hit in the neck be mine, it is 1 
enough ; for the shot in the heart was unnecessary — what j 
we call an act of supererogation. Leather-stocking.” 

^‘You may call it by what lamed name you please. 
Judge,” said the hunter, throwing his rifle across his' left 
arm, and knocking up a brass lid in the breech, from which 
he took a small piece of greased leather, and, wrapping a 
ball in it, forced them down by main strength on the 
powder, where he continued to pound them while speak- 
ing. “It’s far easier to call names than to shoot a buck 
on the spring ; but the creatur’ came by his end from a 
younger hand than either your’n or mine, as I said before.” 

“What say you, my friend,” cried the traveller, turning 


THE PIONEERS. 


11 


pleasantly to Natty’s companion; “shall we toss up this 
dollar for the honor, and you keep the silver if you lose; 
what say you, friend? ” 

“That I killed the deer,” answered the young man with 
a little haughtiness, as he leaned on another long rifle, 
similar to that of Natty. 

“Here are two to one, indeed,” replied the Judge, with a 
smile; “I am outvoted — overruled, as we say on the 
bench. There is Aggy, he can’t vote, being a slave; and 
Bess is a minor — so I must even make the best of it. But 
you’ll sell me the venison; and the deuce is in it, but I 
make a good story about its death.” 

“The meat is none of mine to sell,” said Leather-stock- 
ing, adopting a little of his companion’s hauteur; “for my 
part I have known animals travel days with shots in the 
neck, and I’m none of them who’ll rob a man of his rightful 
dues? ” 

“You are tenacious of your rights, this cold evening. 
Natty,” returned the Judge, with unconquerable good nat- 
ure; “but what say you, young man; will three dollars pay 
you for the buck? ” 

“ First let us determine the question of right to the sat- 
isfaction of us both,” said the youth, firmly but respect- 
fully, and with a pronunciation and language vastly superior 
to his appearance ; “ with how many shot did you load your 
gun? ” 

“With five, sir,” said the Judge, a little struck with the 
other’s manner; “are they not enough to slay a buck like 
this? ” 

“One would do it; but,” moving to the tree from behind 
which he had appeared, “you know, sir, you fired in this 
direction — here are four of the bullets in the tree.” 

The Judge examined the fresh marks in the bark of the 
pine, and shaking his head, said, with a laugh — 

“ You are making out the case against yourself, my young 
advocate — where is the fifth?” 

“Here,” said the youth, throwing aside the rough over- 
coat that he wore, and exhibiting a hole in his under-gar- 
ment, through which large drops of blood were oozing. 


12 


THE PIONEERS. 


‘‘Good God!’’ exclaimed the Judge with horror; “have 
I been trifling here about an empty distinction, and a fellow- ' 
creature suffering from my hands without a murmur? But 
hasten — quick — get into my sleigh — it is but a mile to 
the village, where surgical aid can be obtained ; — all shall 
be done at my expense, and thou shalt live with me until 
thy wound is healed, ay, and for ever afterwards.” 

“ I thank you for your good intention, but I must decline j 
your offer. I have a friend who would be uneasy were he 
to hear that I am hurt and away from him. The injury is j 
but slight, and the bullet has missed the bones; but I ' 
believe, sir, you will now admit my title to the venison.” 

“Admit it!” repeated the agitated Judge: “I here give 
thee a right to shoot deer, or bears; or anything thou 
pleasest in my woods, for ever. Leather-stocking is the | 
only other man that I have granted the same privilege to; \ 
and the time is coming when it will be of value. But I | 
buy your deer — here, this bill will pay thee, both for thy 
shot and my own.” 

The old hunter gathered his tall person up into an air of 
pride, during this dialogue, but he waited until the other 
had done speaking. 

“There’s them living who say, that Nathaniel Bump- 
po’s right to shoot on these hills is of older date than 
Marmaduke Temple’s right to forbid him,” he said. “But 
if there’s a law about it at all, though who ever heard of a 
law that a man shouldn’t kill deer where he pleased! — but 
if there is a law at all, it should be to keep people from 
the use of smooth-bores. A body never knows where his 
lead will fly, when he pulls the trigger of one of them 
uncertain fire-arms.” 

Without attending to the soliloquy of Natty, the youth 
bowed his head silently to the offer of the bank note, and 
replied — 

“Excuse me; I have need of the venison.” 

“ But this will buy you many deer, ” said the Judge ; “ take 
it, I entreat you,” and lowering his voice to a whisper, he 
added — “it is for a hundred dollars.” 

For an instant only, the youth seemed to hesitate, and 


THE PIONEERS. 


13 


then, blushing even through the high color that the cold 
had given to his cheeks, as if with inward shame at his 
own weakness, he again declined the offer. 

During this scene the female arose, and, regardless of 
the cold air, she threw back the hood which concealed her 
features, and now spoke, with great earnestness. 

“ Surely, surely — young man, — sir— you would not pain 
my father so much, as to have him think that he leaves a 
fellow-creature in this wilderness, whom his own hand has 
injured. I entreat you will go with us, and receive medical 
aid.” 

Whether his wound became more painful, or there was 
something irresistible in the voice and manner of the fair 
pleader for her father’s feelings, we know not; but the dis- 
tance of the young man’s manner was sensibly softened by 
this appeal, and he stood in apparent doubt, as if reluctant 
to comply with, and yet unwilling to refuse her request. 
The Judge, for such being his office, must in future be his 
title, watched, with no little interest, the display of this 
singular contention in the feelings of the youth ; and 
advancing, kindly took his hand, and as he pulled him 
gently towards the sleigh, urged him to enter it. 

“There is no human aid nearer than Templeton,” he 
said, “and the hut of Natty is full three miles from this; 
— come — come, my young friend, go with us, and let the 
new doctor look to this shoulder of thine. Here is Natty 
will take the tidings of thy welfare to thy friend; and 
should’st thou require it, thou shalt return home in the 
morning.” 

The young man succeeded in extricating his hand from 
the warm grasp of the Judge, but he continued to gaze on 
the face of the female, who, regardless of the cold, was 
still standing with her fine features exposed, which ex- 
pressed feelings that eloquently seconded the request of 
her father. Leather-stocking stood, in the meantime, lean- 
ing upon his long rifle, with his head turned a little to one 
side, as if engaged in sagacious musing; when, having 
apparently satisfied his doubts, by revolving the subject in 
his mind, he broke silence. 


14 


THE PIONEERS. 


“It may be best to go, lad, after all; for if the shot 
hangs under the skin, my hand is getting too old to be 
cutting into human flesh, as I once used to. Though 
some thirty years agone, in the old war, when I was out 
under Sir William, I travelled seventy miles alone in the 
howling wilderness, with a rifle bullet in my thigh, and 
then cut it out with my own jack-knife. Old Indian John 
knows the time well. I met him with a party of the Dela- 
wares, on the trail of the Iroquois, who had been down and 
taken five scalps on the Schoharie. But I made a mark on 
the red-skin that ITl warrant he carried to his grave! I 
took him on his posteerum, saving the lady^s presence, as 
he got up from the ambushment, and rattled three buck-shot 
into his naked hide, so close, that you might have laid a : 
broad joe upon them all — ’’ here Natty stretched out his j 
long neck, and straightened his body, as he opened hisj 
mouth, which exposed a single tusk of yellow bone, while \ 
his eyes, his face, even his whole frame seemed to laugh, 
although no sound was emitted, except a kind of thick hiss- 
ing, as he inhaled his breath in quavers. “ I had lost my 
bullet mould in crossing the Oneida outlet, and had to 
make shift with the buck-shot; but the rifle was true, and 
didn’t scatter like your two-legged thing there. Judge, 
which don’t do, I find, to hunt in company with.” 

Natty’s apology to the delicacy of the young lady was 
unnecessary, for, while he was speaking, she was too much 
employed in helping her father to remove certain articles of 
baggage to hear him. Unable to resist the kind urgency 
of the travellers any longer, the youth, though still with 
an unaccountable reluctance, suffered himself to be per- 
suaded to enter the sleigh. The black, with the aid of 
his master, threw the buck across the baggage, and enter- 
ing the vehicle themselves, the Judge invited the hunter to 
do so likewise. 

“No, no,” said the old man, shaking his head; “I have 
work to do at home this Christmas eve — drive on with the 
boy, and let your doctor look to the shoulder; though if he 
will only cut out the shot, I have yarbs that will heal the 
wound quicker than all his foreign ’intments.” He turned. 




THE PIONEERS. 


15 


and was about to move off, when, suddenly recollecting 
himself, he again faced the party, and added — “ If you see 
anything of Indian John, about the foot of the lake, you 
had better take him with you, and let him lend the doctor 
a hand; for old as^he is, he is curious at cuts and bruises, 
and it’s likelier than not he’ll be in with brooms to sweep 
your Christmas h’arths.” 

“ Stop, stop, ” cried the youth, catching the arm of the 
black as he prepared to urge his horses forward; “Natty 
— you need say nothing of the shot, nor of where I am 
going — remember. Natty, as you love me.” 

“Trust old Leather-stocking,” returned the hunter, sig- 
nificantly; “he hasn’t lived fifty years in the wilderness, 
and not larnt from the savages how to hold his tongue — 
trust to me, lad; and remember old Indian John.” 

“And, Natty,” said the youth eagerly, still holding the 
black by the arm, “ I will just get the shot extracted, and 
bring you up to-night a quarter of the buck, for the 
Christmas dinner.” 

He was interrupted by the hunter, who held up his finger 
with an expressive gesture for silence. He then moved 
softly along the margin of the road, keeping his eyes stead- 
fastly fixed on the branches of a pine. When he had 
obtained such a position as he wished, he stopped, and 
cocking his rifle, threw one leg far behind him, and stretch- 
ing his left arm to its utmost extent along the barrel of his 
piece, he began slowly to raise its muzzle in a line with 
the straight trunk of the tree. The eyes of the group in 
the sleigh naturally preceded the movement of the rifle, 
and they soon discovered the object of Natty’s aim. On a 
small dead branch of the pine, which, at the distance of 
seventy feet from the ground, shot out horizontally, imme- 
diately beneath the living members of the tree, sat a bird, 
that in the vulgar language of the country was indiscrimi- 
nately called a pheasant or a partridge. In size, it was but 
a little smaller than a common barn-yard fowl. The bay- 
ing of the dogs, and the conversation that had passed near 
the root of the tree on which it was perched, had alarmed 
the bird, which was now drawn up near the body of the 


16 


THE PIONEERS. 


pine, with a head and neck so erect, as to form nearly a 
straight line with its legs. As soon as the rifle bore on the 
victim. Natty drew his trigger, and the partridge fell from J 
its height with a force that buried it in the snow. | 

“ Lie down, yon old villain, ” exclaimed Leather-stocking, i 
shaking his ramrod at Hector as he bounded towards the 
foot of the tree, ‘‘lie down, I say.’’ The dog obeyed, and 
Natty proceeded with great rapidity, though with the nicest ’ 
accuracy, to reload his piece. When this was ended, he 
took up his game, and showing it to the party without a 
head, he cried — “Here is a titbit for an old man’s Christ- ^ 
mas — never mind the venison, boy, and remember Indian 
John; his yarbs are better than all the foreign ’intments. i 
Here, Judge,” holding up the bird again, “do you think a 
smooth-bore would pick game off their roost, and not ruflle 
a feather?” The old man gave another of his remarkable 
laughs, which partook so largely of exultation, mirth, and 
irony, and shaking his head, he turned, with his rifle at a 
trail, and moved into the forest with steps that were between 
a walk and a trot. At each movement he made, his body 
lowered several inches, his knees yielding with an inclina- 
tion inwards; but as the sleigh turned at a bend in the 
road, the youth cast his eyes in quest of his old companion, 
and he saw that he was already nearly concealed by the 
trunks of the trees, while his dogs were following quietly 
in his footsteps, occasionally scenting the deer track, that 
they seemed to know instinctively was now of no further 
use to them. Another jerk was given to the sleigh, and 
Leather-stocking was hid from view. 


CHAPTER II. 


All places that the eye of Heaven visits 
Are to a wise man ports and happy havens : — 

Think not the king did banish thee : 

But thou the king. 

Kichard II. 

An ancestor of Marmaduke Temple had, about one hun- 
dred and twenty years before the commencement of our 
tale, come to the colony of Pennsylvania, a friend and 
co-religionist of its great patron. Old Marmaduke, for 
this formidable prenomen was a kind of appellative to the 
race, brought with him, to that asylum of the persecuted, 
an abundance of the good things of this life. He became 
the master of many thousands of acres of uninhabited ter- 
ritory, and the supporter of many a score of dependents. 
He lived greatly respected for his piety, and not a little 
distinguished as a sectary; was intrusted by liis associates 
with many important political stations; and died just in 
time to escape the knowledge of his own poverty. It was 
his lot to share the fortune of most of those who brought 
wealth with them into the new settlements of the middle 
colonies. 

The consequence of an emigrant into these provinces was 
generally to be ascertained by the number of his white ser- 
vants or dependents, and the nature of the public situations 
that he held. Taking this rule as a guide, the ancestor of 
our Judge must have been a man of no little note. 

It is, however, a subject of curious inquiry at the present 
day, to look into the brief records of that early period, and 
observe how regular, and with few exceptions how inevi- 
table, were the gradations, on the one hand, of the masters 
to poverty, and on the other, of their servants to wealth. 
Accustomed to ease, and unequal to the struggles incident 
c 17 


18 


THE PIONEERS. 


to an infant society, the affluent emigrant was barely ena- 
bled to maintain his own rank, by the weight of his per- 
sonal Superiority and acquirements ; but the moment that 
his head was laid in the grave, his indolent and compara- 
tively uneducated offspring were compelled to yield prece- 
dency to the more active energies of a class whose exertions 
had been stimulated by necessity. This is a very common 
course of things, even in the present state of the Union; 
but it was peculiarly the fortunes of the two extremes of 
society, in the peaceful and unenterprising colonies of 
Pennsylvania and New Jersey. 

The posterity of Marmaduke did not escape the common 
lot of those who depend rather on their hereditary posses- 
sions than on their own powers ; and in the third genera- 
tion they had descended to a point, below which, in this 
happy country, it is barely possible for honesty, intellect, 
and sobriety to fall. The same pride of family that had, 
by its self-satisfied indolence, conduced to aid their fall, 
now became a principle to stimulate them to endeavor to 
rise again. The feeling, from being morbid, was changed 
to a healthful and active desire to emulate the character, 
the condition, and, peradventure, the wealth of their ances- 
tors also. It was the father of our now acquaintance, the 
Judge, who first began to re-ascend in the scale of society; 
and in this undertaking he was not a little assisted by a 
marriage, which aided in furnishing the means of educating 
his only son in a rather better manner than the low state 
of the common schools in Pennsylvania could promise; or 
than had been the practice in the family, for the two or 
three preceding generations. 

At the school where the reviving prosperity of his father 
was enabled to maintain him, young Marmaduke formed an 
intimacy with a youth whose years were about equal to his 
own. This was a fortunate connexion for our Judge, and 
paved the way to most of his future elevation in life. 

There was not only great wealth, but high court interest, 
among the connexions of Edward Effingham. They were 
one of the few families then resident in the colonies, who 
thought it a degradation to its members to descend to the 


THE PIONEEKS. 


19 


pursuits of commerce; and who never emerged from the 
privacy of domestic life, unless to preside in the councils 
of the colony, or to bear arms in her defence. The latter 
had, from youth, been the only employment of Edward’s 
father. Military rank under the crown of Great Britain 
was attained with much longer probation, and by much 
more toilsome services, sixty years ago, than at the present 
time. Years were passed without murmuring, in the sub- 
ordinate grades of the service ; and those soldiers who were 
stationed in the colonies felt, when they obtained the com- 
mand of a company, that they were entitled to receive the 
greatest deference from the peaceful occupants of the soil. 
Any one of our readers who has occasion to cross the Niag- 
ara, may easily observe not only the self-importance, but 
the real estimation enjoyed by the humblest representative 
of the crown, even in that polar region of royal sunshine. 
Such, and at no very distant period, was the respect paid 
to the military in these states, where now, happily, no 
symbol of war is ever seen, unless at the free and fearless 
voice of their people. When, therefore, the father of Mar- 
maduke’s friend, after forty years’ service, retired with the 
rank of major, maintaining in his domestic establishment a 
comparative splendor, he became a man of the first consid- 
eration in his native colony — which was that of New York. 
He had served with fidelity and courage, and having been, 
according to the custom of the provinces, intrusted with 
commands much superior to those to which he was entitled 
by rank, with reputation also. When Major Effingham 
yielded to the claims of age, he retired with dignity, refus- 
ing his half-pay or any other compensation for services 
that he felt he could no longer perform. 

The ministry proffered various civil offices, which yielded 
not only honor but profit; but he declined them all, with 
the chivalrous independence and loyalty that had marked 
his character through life. The veteran soon caused this 
act of patriotic disinterestedness to be followed by another 
of private munificence, that, however little it accorded with 
prudence, was in perfect conformity with the simple integ- 
rity of his own views. 


20 


THE PIONEERS. 


The friend of Marmaduke was the only child; and to this 
son, on his marriage with a lady to whom the father was 
particularly partial, the Major gave a complete conveyance 
of his whole estate, consisting of moneys in the funds, a 
town and country residence, sundry valuable farms in the 
old parts of the colony, and large tracts of wild land in the 
new ; — in this manner throwing himself upon the filial 
piety of his child for his own future maintenance. Major 
Effingham, in declining the liberal offers of the British min- 
istry, had subjected himself to the suspicion of having 
attained his dotage, by all those who throng the avenues 
to court patronage, even in the remotest corners of that ; 
vast empire; but, when he thus voluntarily stripped him- 
self of his great personal wealth, the remainder of the com- 
munity seemed instinctively to adopt the conclusion also, . 
that he had reached a second childhood. This may explain 'i 
the fact of his importance rapidly declining; and, if privacy j* 
was his object, the veteran had soon a free indulgence of | 
his wishes. Whatever views the world might entertain of 
this act of the Major, to himself and to his child it seemed 
no more than a natural gift by a father, of those immuni- 
ties which he could no longer enjoy or improve, to a son, 
who was formed, both by nature and education, to do both. 
The younger Effingham did not object to the amount of the 
donation ; for he felt that while his parent reserved a moral 
control over his actions, he was relieving himself from 
a fatiguing burden : such, indeed, was the confidence exist- 
ing between them, that to neither did it seem anything more 
than removing money from one pocket to another. 

One of the first acts of the young man, on coming into 
possession of his wealth, was to seek his early friend, with 
a view to offer any assistance that it was now in his power 
to bestow. 

The death of Marmaduke’s father, and the consequent 
division of his small estate, rendered such an offer ex- 
tremely acceptable to the young Pennsylvanian: he felt 
his own powers, and saw, not only the excellences, but 
the foibles, in the character of his friend. Effingham was 
by nature indolent, confiding, and at times impetuous and 


THE PIONEERS. 


21 


indiscreet; but Marmaduke was uniformly equable, pene- 
trating, and full of activity and enterprise. To the latter, 
therefore, the assistance, or rather connexion, that was 
proffered to him, seemed to produce a mutual advantage. 
It was cheerfully accepted, and the arrangement of its con- 
ditions was easily completed. A mercantile house was 
established in the metropolis of Pennsylvania, with the 
avails of Mr. Effingham’s personal property; all, or nearly 
all, of which was put into the possession of Temple, who 
was the only ostensible proprietor in the concern, while, in 
secret, the other was entitled to an equal participation in 
the profits. This connexion was thus kept private for two 
reasons ; one of which, in the freedom of their intercourse, 
was frankly avowed to Marmaduke, while the other con- 
tinued profoundly hid in the bosom of his friend. The 
last was nothing more than pride. To the descendant of 
a line of soldiers, commerce, even in that indirect manner, 
seemed a degrading pursuit; but an insuperable obstacle to 
the disclosure existed in the prejudices of his father. 

We have already said that Major Effingham had served 
as a soldier with reputation. On one occasion, while in 
command on the western frontier of Pennsylvania, against 
a league of the French and Indians, not only his glory, but 
the safety of himself and his troops were jeoparded, by the 
peaceful policy of that colony. To the soldier, this was an 
unpardonable offence. He was fighting in their defence — 
he knew that the mild principles of this little nation of 
practical Christians would be disregarded by their subtle 
and malignant enemies; and he felt the injury the more 
deeply, because he saw that the avowed object of the colo- 
nists, in withholding their succors, would only have a ten- 
dency to expose his command, without preserving the 
peace. The soldier succeeded, after a desperate conflict, 
in extricating himself, with a handful of his men, from 
their murderous enemy; but he never forgave the people 
who had exposed him to a danger which they left him to 
combat alone. It was in vain to tell him that they had no 
agency in his being placed on their frontier at all ; it was 
evidently for their benefit that he had been so placed, and 


22 


THE PIONEERS. 


it was their religious duty,’’ so the Major always expressed 
it, ‘‘it was their religious duty to have supported him.” 

At no time was the old soldier an admirer of the peaceful 
disciples of Fox. Their disciplined habits, both of mind 
and body, had endowed them with great physical perfection; 
and the eye of the veteran was apt to scan the fair propor- 
tions and athletic frames of the colonists, with a look that 
seemed to utter volumes of contempt for their moral imbe- 
cility. He was also a little addicted to the expression of a 
belief, that, where there was so great an observance of the 
externals of religion, there could not be much of the sub- 
stance. It is not our task to explain what is, or what ought 
to be, the substance of Christianity, but merely to record in 
this place the opinions of Major Effingham. 

Knowing the sentiments of the father in relation to this 
people, it was no wonder that the son hesitated to avow his 
connexion with, nay, even his dependence on the integrity 
of, a Quaker. 

It has been said that Marmaduke deduced his origin from 
the contemporaries and friends of Penn. His father had 
married without the pale of the church to which he be- 
longed, and had, in this manner, forfeited some of the privi- 
leges of his offspring. Still, as young Marmaduke was 
educated in a colony and society where even the ordinary 
intercourse between friends was tinctured with the aspect 
of this mild religion, his habits and language were some- 
what marked by its peculiarities. His own marriage at a 
future day with a lady without, not only the pale, but the 
influence of this sect of religionists, had a tendency, it is 
true, to weaken his early impressions; still he retained 
them in some degree to the hour of his death, and was 
observed uniformly, when much interested or agitated, to 
speak in the language of his youth. But this is anticipat- 
ing our tale. 

When Marmaduke first, became the partner of young 
Effingham, he was quite the Quaker in externals; and it 
was too dangerous an experiment for the son to think of 
encountering the prejudices of the father on this subject. 
The connexion, therefore, remained a profound secret to all 
but those who were interested in it. 


THE PIONEEES. 


23 


For a few years, Marmaduke directed the commercial 
operations of his house with a prudence and sagacity that 
afforded rich returns. He married the lady we have men- 
tioned, who was the mother of Elizabeth, and the visits of 
his friend were becoming more frequent. There was a 
speedy prospect of removing the veil from their intercourse, 
as its advantages became each hour more apparent to Mr. 
Effingham, when the troubles that preceded the war of the 
devolution extended themselves to an alarming degree. 

Educated in the most dependent loyalty, Mr. Effingham 
had, from the commencement of the disputes between the 
colonists and the crown, warmly maintained what he be- 
lieved to be the just prerogatives of his prince ; while, on 
the other hand, the clear head and independent mind of 
Temple had induced him to espouse the cause of the people. 
Both might have been influenced by early impressions ; tor, 
if the son of the loyal and gallant soldier bowed in im- 
plicit obedience to the will of his sovereign, the descend- 
ant of the persecuted follower of Penn looked back, with a 
little bitterness, to the unmerited wrongs that had been 
heaped upon his ancestors. 

This difference of opinion had long been a subject of 
amicable dispute between them; but, latterly, the contest 
was getting to be too important to admit of trivial discus- 
sions on the part of Marmaduke, whose acute discernment 
was already catching faint glimmerings of the important 
events that were in embryo. The sparks of dissension soon 
kindled into a blaze; and the colonies, or rather, as they 
quickly declared themselves, the states, became a scene 
of strife and bloodshed for years. 

A short time before the battle of Lexington, Mr. Effing- 
ham, already a widower, transmitted to Marmaduke, for 
safe-keeping, all his valuable effects and papers; and left 
the colony without his father. The war had, however, 
scarcely commenced in earnest, when he re-appeared in 
New York, wearing the livery of his king; and, in a short 
time, he took the field at the head of a provincial corps. 
In the meantime, Marmaduke had completely committed 
himself in the cause, as it was then called, of the rebellion. 


24 


THE PIONEERS. 


Of course, all intercourse between the friends ceased — on 
the part of Colonel Effingham it was unsought, and on that 
of Marmaduke there was a cautious reserve. It soon 
became necessary for the latter to abandon the capital 
of Philadelphia; but he had taken the precaution to 
remove the whole of his effects beyond the reach of the 
royal forces, including the papers of his friend also. 
There he continued serving his country during the strug- 
gle, in various civil capacities, and always with dignity 
and usefulness. While, however, he discharged his func- 
tions with credit and fidelity, Marmaduke never seemed to 
lose sight of his own interests; for, when the estates of the 
adherents of the crown fell under the hammer, by the acts 
of confiscation, he appeared in New York, and became the 
purchaser of extensive possessions at comparatively low 
prices. 

It is true that Marmaduke, by thus purchasing estates 
that had been wrested by violence from others, rendered 
himself obnoxious to the censures of that sect which, at the 
same time that it discards its children from a full partici- 
pation in the family union, seems ever unwilling to abandon 
them entirely to the world. But either his success, or the , 
frequency of the transgression in others, soon wiped off this : 
slight stain from his character ; and, although there were a 
few who, dissatisfied with their own fortunes, or conscious 
of their own demerits, would make dark hints concerning 
the sudden prosperity of the unportioned Quaker, yet his 
services, and possibly his wealth, soon drove the recollec- 
tion of these vague conjectures from men’s minds. 

When the war ended, and the independence of the 
States was acknowledged, Mr. Temple turned his attention 
from the pursuit of commerce, which was then fluctuat- 
ing and uncertain, to the settlement of those tracts of land 
which he had purchased. Aided by a good deal of money, 
and directed by the suggestions of a strong and practical 
reason, his enterprise throve to a degree, that the climate 
and rugged face of the country which he selected would 
soon seem to forbid. His property increased in a tenfold 
ratio, and he was already ranked among the most wealthy 


THE PIONEERS. 


25 


and important of his countrymen. To inherit this wealth 
he had but one child — the daughter whom we have intro- 
duced to the reader, and whom he was now conveying from 
school to preside over a household that had too long wanted 
a mistress. 

When the district in which his estates lay had become 
sufficiently populous to be set off as a county, Mr. Temple 
had, according to the custom of the new settlements, been 
selected to fill its highest judicial station. This might 
make a Templar smile; but, in addition to the apology of 
necessity, there is ever a dignity in talents and experience 
that is commonly sufficient, in any station, for the protec- 
tion of its possessor; and Marmaduke, more fortunate in 
his native clearness of mind than the judge of King Charles, 
not only decided right, but was generally able to give a very 
good reason for it. At all events, such was the universal 
practice of the country and the times; and Judge Temple, 
so far from ranking among the lowest of his judicial con- 
temporaries in the courts of the new counties, felt himself, 
and was unanimously acknowledged to be, among the first. 

We shall here close this brief explanation of the history 
and character of some of our personages, leaving them in 
future to speak and act for themselves. 


CHAPTER III. 


All that thou see’st, is nature’s handiwork ; 

Those rocks that upward throw their mossy brows 
Like castled pinnacles of elder times ! 

These venerable stems, that slowly rock 
Their towering branches in the wintry gale, 

That field of frost, which glitters in the sun. 

Mocking the whiteness of a marble breast ! — 

Yet man can mar such works with his rude taste, 

Like some sad spoiler of a virgin’s fame. 

Duo. 

Some little while elapsed ere Marmaduke Temple was 
sufficiently recovered from his agitation to scan the person 
of his new companion. He now observed that he was a 
youth of some two or three and twenty years of age, and ■ 
rather above the middle height. Further observation was j 
prevented by the rough overcoat which was belted close to ■ 
his form by a worsted sash, much like the one worn by the ; 
old hunter. The eyes of the Judge, after resting a moment 
on the figure of the stranger, were raised to a scrutiny of his . 
countenance. There had been a look of care visible in the 

I 

features of the youth, when he first entered the sleigh, that 
had not only attracted the notice of Elizabeth, but which 
she had been much puzzled to interpret. His anxiety 
seemed the strongest when he was enjoining his old com- 
panion to secresy; and even when he had decided, and was 
rather passively suffering himself to be conveyed to the vil- 
lage, the expression of his eyes by no means indicated any j 
great degree of self-satisfaction at the step. But the lines j 
of an uncommonly prepossessing countenance were gradu- 
ally becoming composed; and he now sat silent, and appar- j 
ently musing. The Judge gazed at him for some time with 
earnestness, and then smiling, as if at his own forgetfulness, i 
he said — 


26 


THE PIONEERS. 


27 


“ I believe, my young friend, that terror has driven you 
from my recollection; your face is very familiar, and yet 
for the honor of a score of bucks^ tails in my cap, I could 
not tell your name.” 

I came into the country but three weeks since,” returned 
the youth coldly, “ and I understand you have been absent 
twice that time.” 

“ It will be five to-morrow. Yet your face is one that I 
have seen; though it would not be strange, such l:^s been 
my affright, should I see thee in thy winding-sheet walking 
by my bedside to-night. What say’st thou, Bess? Am I 
compos mentis or not? — Fit to charge a grand jur}^, or, 
what is just now of more pressing necessity, able to do the 
honors of a Christmas eve in the hall of Templeton?” 

“More able to do either, my dear father,” said a playful 
voice from under the ample inclosures of the hood, “than 
to kill deer with a smooth-bore.” A short pause followed, 
and the same voice, but in a different accent, continued — 
“We shall have good reasons for our thanksgiving to-night, 
on more accounts than one.” 

The horses soon reached a point where they seemed to 
know by instinct that the journey was nearly ended; and 
bearing on the bits as they tossed their heads, they rapidly 
drew the sleigh over the level land which lay on the top of 
the mountain, and soon came to the point where the road 
descended suddenly but circuitously into the valley.” 

The Judge was roused from his reflections, when he saw 
the four columns of smoke which floated above his own 
chimneys. As house, village, and valley burst on his sight, 
he exclaimed cheerfully to his daughter — 

“ See, Bess, there is thy resting-place for life ! — And 
thine, too, young man, if thou wilt consent to dwell with 
us.” 

The eyes of his auditors involuntarily met; and if the 
color that gathered over the face of Elizabeth was contra- 
dicted by the cold expression of her eye, the ambiguous 
smile that again played about the lips of the stranger, 
seemed equally to deny the probability of his consenting 
to form one of this family group. The scene was one, 


28 


THE PIONEERS. 


however, which might easily warm a heart less given to 
philanthropy than that of Marmaduke Temple. 

The side of the mountain on which our travellers were 
journeying, though not absolutely perpendicular, was so 
steep as to render great care necessary in descending the 
rude and narrow path, which, in that early day, wound along 
the precipices. The negro reined in his impatient steeds, 
and time was given Elizabeth to dwell on a scene which 
was so rapidly altering under the hands of man, that it 
only resembled in its outlines the picture she had so often 
studied with delight, in childhood. Immediately beneath 
them lay a seeming plain, glittering without inequality, 
and buried in mountains. The latter were precipitous, 
especially on the side of the plain, and chiefly in forest. 
Here and there the hills fell away in long, low points, 
and broke the sameness of the outline; or setting to the 
long and wide field of snow, which, without house, tree, 
fence, or any other fixture, resembled so much spotless 
cloud settled to the earth. A few dark and moving spots 
were, however, visible on the even surface, which the eye 
of Elizabeth knew to be so many sleighs going their several 
ways, to or from the village. On the western border of the 
plain, the mountains, though equally high, were less pre- 
cipitous, and as they receded, opened into irregular valleys 
and glens, or were formed into terraces and hollows that 
admitted of cultivation. Although the evergreens still held 
dominion over many of the hills that rose on this side of 
the valley, yet the undulating outlines of the distant moun- 
tains, covered with forests of beech and maple, gave a relief 
to the eye, and the promise of a kinder soil. Occasionally 
spots of white were discoverable amidst the forests of the op- 
posite hills, which announced by the smoke that curled over 
the tops of the trees, the habitations of man, and the com- 
mencement of agriculture. These spots were sometimes, 
by the aid of united labor, enlarged into what were called 
settlements, but more frequently were small and insulated; 
though so rapid were the changes, and so persevering the 
labors of those who had cast their fortunes on the success 
of the enterprise, that it was not difiicult for the imagination 


THE PIONEERS. 


29 


‘ of Elizabeth to conceive they were enlarging under her eye, 
while she was gazing, in mute wonder, at the alterations 
' that a few short years had made in the aspect of the coun- 
^ try. The points on the western side of this remarkable 
plain, on which no plant had taken root, were both larger 
' and more numerous than those on its eastern, and one in 
' particular thrust itself forward in such a manner as to form 
H beautifully curved bays of snow on either side. On its 
extreme end an oak stretched forward, as if to overshadow, 
with its branches, a spot which its roots were forbidden to 
enter. It had released itself from the thraldom that a 
growth of centuries had imposed on the branches of the 
surrounding forest trees, and threw its gnarled and fan- 
tastic arms abroad, in the wildness of liberty. A dark 
spot of a few acres in extent at the southern extremity of 
this beautiful flat, and immediately under the feet of our 
travellers, alone showed by its rippling surface, and the 
vapors which exhaled from it, that what at first might 
seem a plain, was one of the mountain lakes, locked in the 
frosts of winter. A narrow current rushed impetuously 
from its bosom at the open place we have mentioned, and 
was to be traced, for miles, as it wound its way towards the 
south through the real valley, by its borders of hemlock and 
pine, and by the vapor which arose from its warmer surface 
into the chill atmosphere of the hills. The banks of this 
lovely basin, at its outlet, or southern end, were steep but 
not high ; and in that direction the land continued, far as 
the eye could reach, a narrow but graceful valley, along 
which the settlers had scattered their humble habitations, 
with a profusion that bespoke the quality of the soil, and 
the comparative facilities of intercourse. 

Immediately on the bank of the lake and at its foot, 
stood the village of Templeton. It consisted of some fifty 
buildings, including those of every description, chiefly built 
of wood, and which, in their architecture, bore no great 
marks of taste, but which also, by the unfinished appear- 
ance of most of the dwellings, indicated the hasty manner 
of their construction. To the eye, they presented a variety 
of colors. A few were white in both front and rear, but 


30 


THE PIONEERS. 


more bore that expensive color on their fronts only, while 
their economical but ambitious owners had covered the 
remaining sides of the edifices with a dingy red. One or 
two were slowly assuming the russet of age; while the 
uncovered beams that were to be seen through the broken 
windows of their second stories, showed that either the 
taste or the vanity of their proprietors had led them to 
undertake a task which they were unable to accomplish. 
The whole were grouped in a manner that aped the streets 
of a city, and were evidently so arranged by the directions 
of one who looked to the wants of posterity rather than to 
the convenience of the present incumbents. Some three or 
four of the better sort of buildings, in addition to the uni- 
formity of their color, were fitted with green blinds, which, 
at that season at least, were rather strangely contrasted to 
the chill aspect of the lake, the mountains, the forests, and 
the wide fields of snow. Before the doors of these pretend- 
ing dwellings were placed a few saplings, either without 
branches, or possessing only the feeble shoots of one or two 
summers’ growth, that looked not unlike tall grenadiers on 
post near the threshold of princes. In truth, the occupants 
of these favored habitations were the nobles of Templeton, 
as Marmaduke was its king. They were the dwellings of 
two young men who were cunning in the law; an equal 
number of that class who chaffered to the wants of the 
community under the title of storekeepers ; and a disciple 
of ^sculapius, who, for a novelty, brought more subjects 
into the world than he sent out of it. In the midst of this 
incongruous group of dwellings, rose the mansion of the 
Judge, towering above all its neighbors. It stood in the 
centre of an inclosure of several acres, which were covered 
with fruit trees. Some of the latter had been left by the 
Indians, and began already to assume the moss and inclina- 
tion of age, therein forming a very marked contrast to the 
infant plantations that peered over most of the picketed 
fences of the village. In addition to this show of cultiva- 
tion, were two rows of young Lombardy poplars, a tree but 
lately introduced into America, formally lining either side 
of a pathway, which led from a gate that opened on the prin- 


THE PIONEERS. 


31 


cipal street to the front door of the building. The house 
® itself had been built entirely under the superintendence of 
a certain Mr. E-ichard Jones, whom we have already men- 
® tioned, and who from his cleverness in small matters, and 
an entire willingness to exert his talents, added to the cir- 
®t: cumstance^of their being sisters’ children, ordinarily super- 
'll intended all the minor concerns of Marmaduke Temple. 

■ Ivichard was fond of saying, that this child of his invention 
consisted of nothing more nor less than what should form 
the ground-work of every clergyman’s discourse: viz. a 
firstly, and a lastly. He had commenced his labors, in 

h the first year of their residence, by erecting a tall, gaunt 
edifice of wood, with its gable towards the highway. In 

■ this shelter, for it was little more, the family resided three 

1 years. By the end of that period, Eichard had completed 
his design. He had availed himself, in this heavy under- 
taking, of the experience of a certain wandering eastern 
mechanic, who, by exhibiting a few soiled plates of English 
architecture, and talking learnedly of friezes, entablatures, 
and particularly of the composite order, had obtained a very 
undue influence over Eichard’s taste, in everything that 
pertained to that branch of the fine arts. Not that Mr. 
Jones did not affect to consider Hiram Doolittle a perfect 
empiric in his profession, being in the constant habit of 
listening to his treatises on architecture with a kind of 
indulgent smile; yet, either from an inability to oppose 
them by anything plausible from his own stores of learn- 
ing, or from secret admiration, Eichard generally sub- 
mitted to the arguments of his coadjutor. Together, they 
had not only erected a dwelling for Marmaduke, but they 
had given a fashion to the architecture of the whole county. 
The composite order, Mr. Doolittle would contend, was an 
order composed of many others, and was intended to be the 
most useful of all, for it admitted into its construction such 
alterations as convenience or circumstances might require. 
To this proposition Eichard usually assented; and when 
rival geniuses, who monopolize not only all the reputation, 
but most of the money of a neighborhood, are of a mind, 
it is not uncommon to see them lead the fashion, even in 


32 


THE PIONEERS. 


graver matters. In the present instance, as we have 
already hinted, the castle, as Judge Templeton’s dwelling 
was termed in common parlance, came to be the model, in 
some one or other of its numerous excellences, for every 
aspiring edifice within twenty miles of it. 

The house itself, or the “lastly,” was of stone; large, 
square, and far from uncomfortable. These were four 
requisites, on which Marmaduke had insisted with a little 
more than his ordinary pertinacity. But everything else 
was peaceably assigned to Kichard and his associate. These 
worthies found the material a little too solid for the tools 
of their workmen, which, in general, were employed on a 
substance no harder than the white pine of the adjacent 
mountains, a wood so proverbially soft, that it is com- 
monly chosen by the hunters for pillows. But for this 
awkward dilemma, it is probable that the ambitious tastes , 
of our two architects would have left as much more to do in « 
the way of description. Driven from the faces of the house 1 
by the obduracy of the material, they took refuge in the ' 
porch and on the roof. The former, it was decided, should j 
be severely classical, and the latter a rare specimen of the ' 
merits of the composite order. 

A roof. Bichard contended, was a part of the edifice that ' 
the ancients always endeavored to conceal, it being an ex- , 
crescence in architecture that was only to be tolerated on ; 
account of its usefulness. Besides, as he wittily added, a ' 
chief merit in a dwelling was to present a front, on which- 
ever side it might happen to be seen ; for as it was exposed 
to all eyes in all weathers, there should be no weak flank 
for envy or unneighborly criticism to assail. It was there- 
fore decided that the roof should be flat, and with four 
faces. To this arrangement Marmaduke objected the heavy 
snows that lay for months, frequently covering the earth 
to a depth of three or four feet. Happily, the facilities 
of the composite order presented themselves to effect a 
compromise, and the rafters were lengthened, so as to give 
a descent that should carry off the frozen element. But 
unluckily, some mistake was made in the admeasurement 
of these material parts of the fabric: and as one of the 


THE PIONEERS. 


33 


greatest recommendations of Hiram was his ability to work 
by the ‘‘square rule,” no opportunity was found of discov- 
ering the effect until the massive timbers were raised, on 
the four walls of the building. Then, indeed, it was soon 
seen, that, in defiance of all rule, the roof was by far the 
most conspicuous part of the whole edifice. Eichard and 
his associate consoled themselves with the belief, that the 
covering would aid in concealing this unnatural elevation; 
but every shingle that was laid only multiplied objects to 
look at. Eichard essayed to remedy the evil with paint, 

: and four different colors were laid on by his own hands. 
The first was a sky-blue, in the vain expectation that the 
eye might be cheated into the belief, it was the heavens 
themselves that hung so imposingly over Marmaduke^s 
: dwelling; the second was what he called a “cloud-color,” 
! being nothing more nor less than an imitation of smoke; 

I the third was what Eichard termed an invisible green, an 
experiment that did not succeed against a background of 
sky. Abandoning the attempt to conceal, our architects 
drew upon their invention for means to ornament the offen- 
sive shingles. After much deliberation and two or three 
essays by moonlight, Eichard ended the affair by boldly 
covering the whole beneath a color that he christened “ sun- 
shine,” a cheap way, as he assured his cousin, the Judge, 
of always keeping fair weather over his head. The plat- 
form, as well as the eaves of the house, were surmounted 
by gaudily painted railings, and the genius of Hiram was 
exerted in the fabrication of divers urns and mouldings, 
that were scattered profusely around this part of their 
labors. Eichard had originally a cunning expedient, by 
which the chimneys were intended to be so low, and so 
situated, as to resemble ornaments on the balustrades: but 
comfort required that the chimneys should rise with the 
roof, in order that the smoke might be carried off, and 
they thus became four extremely conspicuous objects in 
the view. 

As this roof was much the most important architectural 
undertaking in which Mr. Jones was ever engaged, his fail- 
ure produced a correspondent degree of mortification. At 


34 


THE PIONEERS. 


first, he whispered among his acquaintances, that it pro- 
ceeded from ignorance of the square rule on the part of 
Hiram ; but as his eye became gradually accustomed to the 
object, he grew better satisfied with his labors, and instead 
of apologizing" for the defects, he commenced praising the 
beauties of the mansion-house. He soon found hearers; 
and, as wealth and comfort are at all times attractive, it 
was, as has been said, made a model for imitation on a small 
scale. In less than two years from its erection, he had the 
pleasure of standing on the elevated platform, and of look- 
ing down on three humble imitators of its beauty. Thus it 
is ever with fashion, which even renders the faults of the 
great subjects of admiration. 

Marmaduke bore this deformity in his dwelling with | 
great good nature, and soon contrived, by his own improve- 
ments, to give an air of respectability and comfort to his 
place of residence. Still there was much of incongruity, I 
even immediately about the mansion-house. Although pop- 
lars had been brought from Europe to ornament the grounds, 
and willows and other trees were gradually springing up 
nigh the dwelling, yet many a pile of snow betrayed the 
presence of the stump of a pine; and even in one or two | 
instances, unsightly remnants Of trees that had been partly ■ 
destroyed by fire were seen rearing their black, glistening 
columns twenty or thirty feet above the pure white of the 
snow. These, which in the language of the country are 
termed stubs, abounded in the open fields adjacent to the 
village, and were accompanied, occasionally, by the ruin of 
a pine or a hemlock that had been stripped of its bark, and 
which waved in melancholy grandeur its naked limbs to the 
blast, a skeleton of its former glory. But these and many 
other unpleasant additions to the view were unseen by the 
delighted Elizabeth, who, as the horses moved down the 
side of the mountain, saw only in gross the cluster of 
houses that lay like a map at her feet; the fifty smokes 
that were curling from the valley to the clouds ; the frozen 
lake as it lay imbedded in mountains of evergreen, with the 
long shadows of the pines on its white surface, lengthening 
in the setting sun; the dark riband of water, that gushed 


THE PIONEERS. 


35 


from tlie outlet, and was winding its way towards the dis- 
tant Chesapeake — the altered, though still remembered, 
scenes of her childhood. 

Five years had wrought greater changes than a century 
would produce in countries where time and labor have given 
permanency to the works of man. To the young hunter and 
I the Judge the scene had less novelty; though none ever 
emerge from the dark forests of that mountain, and witness 
the glorious scenery of that beauteous valley, as it bursts 
unexpectedly upon them, without a feeling of delight. The 
j former cast one admiring glance from north to south, and 
! sank his face again beneath the folds of his coat; while the 
i latter contemplated, with philanthropic pleasure, the pros- 
I pect of affluence and comfort that was expanding around 
him; the result of his own enterprise, and much of it the 
i fruits of his own industry. 

The cheerful sound of sleigh-bells, however, attracted the 
attention of the whole party, as they came jingling up the 
sides of the mountain, at a rate that announced a powerful 
team and a hard driver. The bushes which lined the high- 
way interrupted the view, and the two sleighs were close 
upon each other before either was seen. 


CHAPTEE IV. 


How now? whose mare’s dead? what’s the matter? — Falstaff. 

A LARGE lumber-sleigli, drawn by four horses, was soon 
seen dashing through the leafless bushes which fringed the 
road. The leaders were of grey, and the pole-horses of a 
jet black. Bells innumerable were suspended from every 
part of the harness where one of the tinkling balls could 
be placed; while the rapid movement of the equipage, in 
defiance of the steep ascent, announced the desire of the 
driver to ring them to the utmost. The first glance at this 
singular arrangement acquainted the Judge with the char- 
acter of those in the sleigh. It contained four male figures. 
On one of those stools that are used at writing-desks, lashed 
firmly to the sides of the vehicle,' was seated a little man, 
enveloped in a greatcoat fringed with fur, in such a manner 
that no part of him was visible excepting a face of an 
unvarying red color. There was a habitual upward look 
about the head of this gentleman, as if dissatisfied with its 
natural proximity to the earth; and the expression of his 
countenance was that of busy care. He was the charioteer, 
and he guided the mettled animals along the precipice with 
a fearless eye and a steady hand. Immediately behind him, 
with his face towards the other two, was a tall figure, to 
whose appearance not even the duplicate overcoats which 
he wore, aided by the corner of a horse-blanket, could give 
the appearance of strength. His face was protruding from 
beneath a woollen night-cap; and when he turned to the 
vehicle of Marmaduke as the sleighs approached each other, 
it seemed formed by nature to cut the atmosphere with the 
least possible resistance. The eyes alone appeared to. create 
any obstacle, for from either side of his forehead their light, 

36 


THE PIONEERS. 


37 


blue, glassy balls projected. The sallow of his countenance 
was too permanent to be affected even by the intense cold 
of the evening. Opposite to this personage sat a solid, 
short, and square figure. No part of his form was to be 
discovered through his over-dress, but a face that was 
illuminated by a pair of black eyes, that gave the lie to 
every demure feature in his countenance. A fair, jolly 
wig furnished a neat and rounded outline to his visage, and 
he, as well as the other two, wore marten-skin caps. The 
fourtli was a meek-looking, long-visaged man, without any 
other protection from the cold than that which was fur- 
nished by a black surtout, made with some little formality, 
but which was rather threadbare and rusty. He wore a hat 
of extremely decent proportions, though frequent brushing 
had quite destroyed its nap. His face was pale, and withal 
a little melancholy, or what might be termed of a studious 
complexion. The air had given it, just now, a slight and 
someAvhat feverish flush. The character of his" whole ap- 
pearance, especially contrasted to the air of humor in his 
next companion, was that of habitual mental care. No 
sooner had the two sleighs approached within speaking 
distance, than the driver of this fantastic equipage shouted 
aloud — 

‘‘Draw up in the quarry — draw up, thou king of the 
Greeks; draw into the quarry, Agamemnon, or I shall 
never be able to pass you. Welcome home, cousin ’duke 
— welcome, welcome, black-eyed Bess. Thou seest, Marma- 
duke, that I have taken the field with an assorted cargo, to 
do thee honor. Monsieur Le Quoi has come out with only 
one cap ; Old Fritz would not stay to finish the bottle ; and 
Mr. Grant has got to put the ‘lastly ’ to his sermon, yet. 
Even all the horses would come — by the by. Judge, I must 
sell the blacks for you immediately; they interfere, and the 
nigh one is a bad goer in double harness. I can get rid of 
them to — ” 

“Sell what thou wilt, Dickon,” interrupted the cheerful 
voice of the Judge, “so that thou leavest me my daughter 
and my lands. Ah! Fritz, my old friend, this is a kind 
compliment, indeed, for seventy to pay to five-and-forty. 


38 


THE PIONEERS. 


Monsieur Le Quoi, I am your servant. Mr. Grant,” lifting 
his cap, “1 feel indebted to your attention. Gentlemen, I 
make you acquainted with my child. Yours are names 
with which she is very familiar.” 

“Velcome, velcome, Tchooge,” said the elder of the party, 
with a strong German accent. Miss Petsy vill owe me 
a kiss.” 

‘‘And cheerfully will I pay it, my good sir,” cried the 
soft voice of Elizabeth; which sounded, in the clear air of 
the hills, like tones of silver, amid the loud cries of Kichard. 

“I have always a kiss for my old friend. Major Hartmann.” 

By this time the gentleman in the front seat, who had ! 
been addressed as Monsieur Le Quoi, had arisen with some ^ 
difficulty, owing to the impediment of his overcoats, and '’s 
steadying himself by placing one hand on the stool of the 
charioteer, with the other he removed his cap, and bowing i 
politely to the Judge, and profoundly to Elizabeth, he paid 
his compliments. 

“ Cover thy poll, Gaul, cover thy poll, ” cried the driver, 
who was Mr. Bichard Jones; “cover thy poll, or the frost 
will pluck out the remnant of thy locks. Had the hairs 
on the head of Absalom been as scarce as thine, he might 
have been living to this day.” The jokes of Bichard never ' 
failed of exciting risibility, for he uniformly did honor to 
his own wit; and he enjoyed a hearty laugh on the present 
occasion, while Mr. Le Quoi resumed his seat with a polite 
reciprocation in his mirth. The clergyman, for such was 
the office of Mr. Grant, modestly, though quite affection- 
ately, exchanged his greetings with the travellers also, when 
Bichard prepared to turn the heads of his horses homeward. 

It was in the quarry alone that he could effect this object, 
without ascending to the summit of the mountain. A very 
considerable excavation had been made in the side of the 
hill, at the point Avhere Bichard had succeeded in stopping 
the sleighs, from which the stones used for building in the 
village were ordinarily quarried, and in which he now 
attempted to' turn his team. Passing itself was a task of 
difficulty, and frequently of danger, in that narrow road; 
but Bichard had to meet the additional risk of turning his 


THE PIONEERS. 


39 


four-in-hand. The black civilly volunteered his services to 
take off the leaders, and the Judge very earnestly seconded 
the measure with his advice. Kichard treated both pro- 
posals with great disdain: 

“Why, and wherefore, cousin Muke?’’ he exclaimed, a 
little angrily; “the horses are gentle as lambs. You know 
that I broke the leaders myself, and the pole-horses are too 
near my whip to be restive. Here is Mr. Le Quoi, now, 
who must know something about driving, because he has 
rode out so often with me ; I will leave it to Mr. Le Quoi 
whether there is any danger.’’ 

It was not in the nature of the Frenchman to disappoint 
expectations so confidently formed ; although he sat looking 
down the precipice which fronted him, as Richard turned 
his leaders into the quarry, with a pair of eyes that stood 
out like those of lobsters. The German’s muscles were 
unmoved, but his quick sight scanned each movement. Mr. 
Grant placed his hands on the side of the sleigh, in prepa- 
ration for a spring, but moral timidity deterred him from 
taking the leap that bodily apprehension strongly urged 
him to attempt. 

Richard, by a sudden application of the whip, succeeded 
in forcing the leaders into the snow-bank that covered the 
quarry ; but the instant that the impatient animals suffered 
by the crust, through which they broke at each step, they 
positively refused to move an inch further in that direction. 
On the contrary, finding that the cries and blows of their 
driver were redoubled at this juncture, the leaders backed 
upon the pole-horses, who, in their turn, backed the sleigh. 
Only a single log lay above the pile which upheld the road, 
on the side towards the valley, and this was now buried in 
the snow. The sleigh was easily forced across so slight an 
impediment; and before Richard became, conscious of his 
danger, one-half of the vehicle was projected over a preci- 
pice, which fell, perpendicularly, more than a hundred feet. 
The Frenchman, who, by his position, had a full view of 
their threatened flight, instinctively threw liis body as far 
forward as possible, and cried, “Ah! mon cher monsieur 
Deeck! mon Dieu! que faites vous! ” 


40 


THE PIONEERS. 


‘‘Donner and blitzen, Richart,” exclaimed the veteran 
German, looking over the side of the sleigh with unusual 
emotion, ^‘put you will preak ter sleigh and kilt ter 
horses.” 

“Good Mr. Jones,” said the clergyman, “be prudent, 
good sir — be careful.” 

“ Get up, obstinate devils ! ” cried Richard, catching a 
bird’s-eye view of his situation, and, in his eagerness to 
move forward, kicking the stool on which he sat, — “get 
up, I say — cousin ’duke, I shall have to sell the greys too; 
they are the worst-broken horses — Mr. Le Quaw !” Richard 
was too much agitated to regard his pronunciation, of which 
he was commonly a little vain; “Monsieur Le Quaw, pray 
get off my leg; you hold my leg so tight, that it’s no wonder 
the horses back.” 

“Merciful Providence!” exclaimed the Judge, “they 
will be all killed 1 ” 

Elizabeth gave a piercing shriek, and the black of Aga- 
memnon’s face changed to a muddy white. 

At this critical moment, the young hunter, who, during 
the salutations of the parties, had sat in rather sullen 
silence, sprang from the sleigh of Marmaduke to the heads 
of the refractory leaders. The horses, who were yet suffer- 
ing under the injudicious and somewhat random blows of 
Richard, were dancing up and down with that ominous 
movement that threatens a sudden and uncontrollable start, 
still pressing backwards. The youth gave the leaders a 
powerful jerk, and they plunged aside, and re-entered the 
road in the position in which they were first halted. The 
sleigh was whirled from its dangerous position, and upset 
with the runners outwards. The German and the divine 
were thrown, rather unceremoniously, into the highway, 
but without danger to their bones. Richard appeared in 
the air, describing the segment of a circle of which the 
reins were the radii, and landed at the distance of some 
fifteen feet, in that snow-bank which the horses had dreaded, 
right end uppermost. Here, as he instinctively grasped the 
reins, as drowning men seize at straws, he admirably served 
the purpose of an anchor. The Frenchman, who was on 


THE PIONEERS. 


41 


his legs in the act of springing from the sleigh, took an 
aerial flight also, much in the attitude which boys assume 
^ when they play leap-frog, and flying off in a tangent to the 
curvature of his course, came into the snow-bank head fore- 
most, where he remained, exhibiting two lathy legs on high, 
like scarecrows waving in a cornfleld. Major Hartmann, 
whose self-possession had been admirably preserved during 
the whole evolution, was the first of the party that gained 
his feet and his voice. 

‘‘ Ter dey vel, Richart ! ” he exclaimed, in a voice half 
serious, half comical, ^‘put you unloat your sleigh very 
hantily.’’ 

It may be doubtful whether the attitude in which Mr. 
Grant continued for an instant after his overthrow was the 
one into which he had been thrown, or was assumed, in 
humbling himself before the power that he reverenced, in 
thanksgiving at his escape. When he rose from his knees, 
he began to gaze about him, with anxious looks, after the 
welfare of his companions, ’while every joint in his body 
trembled with nervous agitation. There was some confu- 
sion in the faculties of Mr. Jones also; but as the mist 
gradually cleared from before his eyes, he saw that all was 
safe, and, with an air of great self-satisfaction, he cried, 
“Well — that was neatly saved, anyhow! — it was a lucky 
thought in me to hold on the reins, or the fiery devils would 
have been over the mountain by this time. How well I 
recovered myself, Muke! Another moment would have 
been too late ; but I knew just the spot where to touch the 
off-leader; that blow under his right flank, and the sudden 
jerk I gave the rein, brought them round quite in rule, I 
must own myself.^’ ^ 

“Thou jerk! thou recover thyself, Dickon!’^ he said; 
“but for that brave lad yonder, thou and thy horses, or 
rather mine, would have been dashed to pieces; — but where 
is Monsieur Le Quoi?” 

“Oh! mon cher Juge! mon ami!” cried a smothered 

1 The spectators, from immemorial usage, have a right to laugh at the 
casualties of a sleigh-ride ; and the Judge was no sooner certain that no 
harm was done, than he made full use of the privilege. 


42 


THE PIONEERS. 


voice, ‘‘praise be God, I live; vill you. Mister Agamem- 
non, be please come down ici, and help me on my leg?’’ 

The divine and the negro seized the incarcerated Gaul 
by his legs and extricated him from a snow-bank of three 
feet in depth, whence his voice had sounded as from the 
tombs. The thoughts of Mr. Le Quoi, immediately on his 
liberation, were not extremely collected; and when he 
reached the light, he threw his eyes upwards, in order to 
examine the distance he had fallen. His good humor 
returned, however, with a knowledge of his safety, though i 
it was some little time before he clearly comprehended the 
case. 

“What, monsieur,” said Hichard, who was busily assist- 
ing the black in taking off the leaders; “are you there? I 
thought I saw you flying towards the top of the mountain 
just now.” 

“Praise be God, I no fly down into the lake,” returned 
the Frenchman, with a visage that was divided between , 
pain, occasioned by a few large scratches that he had i 
received in forcing his head through the crust, and the look 
of complaisance that seemed natural to his pliable features : . 
“ah! mon cher Mister Deeck, vat you do next? — dere be 
noting you no try.” | 

“The next thing, I trust, will be to learn to drive,” said I 
the Judge, who had busied himself in throwing the buck, | 
together with several other articles of baggage, from his J 
own sleigh into the snow; “here are seats for you all, 3 
gentlemen; the evening grows piercingly cold, and the hour ; 
approaches for the service of Mr. Grant: we will leave 
friend J ones to repair the damages, with the assistance of 
Agamemnon, and hasten to a warm fire. Here, Dickon, , 
are a few articles of Bess’s trumpery, that you can throw 
into your sleigh when ready; and there is also a deer of 
my taking, that I will thank you to bring. Aggy ! remem- 
ber that there will be a visit from Santaclaus ^ to-night.” 

1 The periodical visits of St. Nicholas, or Santaclaus as he is termed, 
were never forgotten among the inhabitants of New York, until the emi- 
gration from New England brought in the opinions and usages of the 
Puritans. Like the “ bon homme de Noel,” he arrives at each Christmas. 


THE PIONEERS. 


43 


The black grinned, conscious of the bribe that was offered 
him for silence on the subject of the deer, while Eichard, 
without in the least waiting for the termination of his 
cousin’s speech, began his reply — 

‘‘Learn to drive, sayest thou, cousin ’duke? Is there a 
man in the county who knows more of horse-flesh than 
myself? Who broke in the filly, that no one else dare 
mount; though your coachman did pretend that he had 
tamed her before I took her in hand; but anybody could 
see that he lied — he was a great liar, that John — what’s 
that, a buck?” — Eichard abandoned the horses, and ran to 
the spot where Marmaduke had thrown the deer : “ It is a 
buck! I am amazed! Yes, here are two holes in him, he 
has fired both barrels, and hit him each time. Ecod! how 
Marmaduke will brag! he is a prodigious bragger about any 
small matter like this now; well, to think that ’duke has 
killed a buck before Christmas! There will be no such 
thing as living with him — they are both bad shots though, 
mere chance — mere chance ; — now, I never fired twice at a 
cloven foot in my life; — it is hit or miss with me — dead 
or run away : — had it been a bear, or a wildcat, a man 
might have wanted both barrels. Here! you Aggy! how 
far off was the Judge when this buck was shot?” 

“ Eh ! Massa Eichard, maybe a ten rod, ” cried the black, 
bending under one of the horses, with the pretence of fas- 
tening a buckle, but in reality to conceal the grin that 
opened a mouth from ear to ear. 

“Ten rod!” echoed the other; “why, Aggy, the deer I 
killed last winter was at twenty — yes ! if anything it was 
nearer thirty than twenty. I wouldn’t shoot at a deer at 
ten rod; besides, you may remember, Aggy, I only fired 
once.” 

“Yes, Massa Eichard, I ’member ’em. Natty Bumppo 
fire t’oder gun. You know, sir, all ’e folk say Natty kill 
him.” 

“ The folks lie, you black devil ! ” exclaimed Eichard in 
great heat. “ I have not shot even a grey squirrel these 
four years, to which that old rascal has not laid claim, or 
some one else for him. This is a damned envious world 


44 


THE PIONEERS. 


that we live in — people are always for dividing the credit 
of a thing, in order to bring down merit to their own level. 
Now they have a story about the Patent,^ that Hiram Doo- 
little helped to plan the steeple to St. PauPs; when Hiram 
knows that it is entirely mine ; a little taken from a print 1 
of its namesake in London, I own; but essentially, as to 
all points of genius, my own.” 

don’t know where he come from,” said the black, 
losing every mark of humor in an expression of admiration, 
“but eb’ry body say, he wonnerful hansome.” 

“And well they may say so, Aggy,” cried Richard, leav- 
ing the buck and walking up to the negro with the air of a 
man who has new interest awakened within him. “ I think 
I may say, without bragging, that it is the handsomest and 
the most scientific country church in America. I know 
that the Connecticut settlers talk about their Westherfield 
meeting-house; but I never believe more than half whatj 
they say, they are such unconscionable braggers. Just as] 
you have got a thing done, if they see it likely to be suc- 
cessful, they are always for interfering; and then it’s ten 
to one but they lay claim to half, or even all of the credit. 
You may remember, Aggy, when I painted the sign of the » 
bold dragoon for Captain Hollister, there was that fellow, | 
who was about town laying brick dust on the houses, came j 
one day and offered to mix what I call the streaky black, 1 
for the tail and mane, and then, because it looks like horse ’, 
hair, he tells everybody that the sign was painted by 
himself and Squire Jones. If Marmaduke don’t send that ; 
fellow off the Patent, he may ornament his village with his 
own hands for all me.” Here Richard paused a moment, ; 
and cleared his throat by a loud hem, while the negro, who i 
was all this time busily engaged in preparing the sleigh, 
proceeded with his work in respectful silence. Owing to < 
the religious scruples of the Judge, Aggy was the servant ^ 

1 The grants of land, made either by the crown or the state, were by , 
letters patent under the great seal, and the term “patent” is usually ap- 
plied to any district of extent, thus conceded; though under the crown, 
manorial rights being often granted with the soil, in the older counties, - 
the word “manor” is frequently used. There are many “manors” in 
New York, though all political and judicial rights have ceased. 


THE PIONEERS. 


45 


of Eichard, who had his services for a time,^ and who, of 
course, commanded a legal claim to the respect of the 
young negro. But when any dispute between his lawful 
and his real master occurred, the black felt too much defer- 
ence for both to express any opinion. In the meanwhile, 
Eichard continued watching the negro as he fastened buckle 
after buckle, until, stealing a look of consciousness toward 
the other, he continued, “Now, if that young man who was 
in your sleigh is a real Connecticut settler, he will be tell- 
ing everybody how he saved my horses, when, if he had let 
them alone for half a minute longer, I would have brought 
j them in much better, without upsetting, with the whip and 
j rein — it spoils a horse to give him his head. I should not 
wonder if I had to sell the whole team, just for that one 
jerk he gave them.” Eichard paused, and hemmed; for 
his conscience smote him a little, for censuring a man who 
had just saved his life: — “Who is the lad, Aggy — I don’t 
remember to have seen him before?” 

The black recollected the hint about Santaclaus; and 
while he briefly explained how they had taken up the per- 
son in question on the top of the mountain, he forbore to 
add anything concerning the accident of the wound, only 
saying that he believed the youth was a stranger. It was 
so usual for men of the first rank to take into their sleighs 
any one they found toiling through the snow, that Eichard 
was perfectly satisfied with this explanation. He heard 
Aggy with great attention, and then remarked, “ Well, if 
the lad has not been spoiled by the people in Templeton, 
he may be a modest young mnn, and as he certainly 
meant well, I shall take some notice of him — perhaps 

1 The manumission of the slaves in New York has been gradual. When 
public opinion became strong in their favor, there grew up a custom of 
buying the services of a slave, for six or eight years, with a condition to 
liberate him at the end of the period. Then the law provided that all born 
after a certain day should be free, the males at twenty-eight and the 
females at twenty-five. After this the owner was obliged to cause bis ser- 
vants to be taught to read and write before they reached the age of eigh- 
teen, and, finally, the few that remained were all unconditionally liberated 
in 1826, or after the publication of this tale. It was quite usual for men 
more or less connected with the Quakers, who never held slaves, to adopt 
the first expedient. 


46 


THE PIONEERS. 


he is laud-hunting — say, Aggy, maybe he is out 
hunting? 

“Eh! yes, massa Kichard,” said the black, a little con- 
fused; for as Eichard did all the flogging, he stood in great 
terror of his master, in the main: — “Yes, sir, I b’lieve 
he be.” 

“ Had he a pack and an axe?” 

“No, sir, only he rifle.” 

“Eifle!” exclaimed Eichard, observing the confusion of 
the negro, which now amounted to terror. “By Jove, he 
killed the deer ! I knew that Marmaduke couldn’t kill a 
buck on the jump — how was it, Aggy? tell me all about it, 
and I’ll roast ’duke quicker than he can roast his saddle — 
how was it, Aggy? the lad shot the buck, and the Judge 
bought it, ha! and he is taking the youth down to get 
the pay?” 

The pleasure of this discovery had put Eichard in such ■ 
a good humor, that the negro’s fears in some measure i 
vanished, and he remembered the stocking of Santaclaus. ^ 
After a gulp or two, he made out to reply — 

“ You forgit a two shot, sir? ” j 

“Don’t lie, you black rascal!” cried Eichard, stepping 
on the snow-bank to measure the distance from his lash to 
the negro’s back; “ speak truth, or I trounce you.” While 
speaking, the stock was slowly rising in Eichard’s right 
hand, and the lash drawing through his left, in the scientific ‘j 
manner with which drummers apply the cat; and Agamem- ; 
non, after turning each side of himself towards his master, I 
and finding both equally unwilling to remain there, fairly] 
gave in. In a very few words he made his master ac-| 
quainted with the truth, at the same time earnestly con-1 
juring Eichard to protect him from the displeasure of the \ 
Judge. 

^‘I’ll do it, boy. I’ll do it,” cried the other, rubbing his 
hands with delight ; “ say nothing, but leave me to manage 
Muke : — I have a great mind to leave the deer on the hill, 
and to make the fellow send for his own carcase : but no, 

I will let Marmaduke tell a few bouncers about it before I 
come out upon him. Come, hurry in, Aggy, I must help to 


THE PIONEERS. 


47 


dress the lad’s wound; this Yankee^ doctor knows nothins: 
of surgery — I had to hold old Milligan’s leg for him, while 
he cut it off.” — Eichard was now seated on the stool again; 
and the black taking the hind seat, the steeds were put in 
motion towards home. As they dashed down the hill, on 
a fast trot, the driver occasionally turned his face to Aggy, 
and continued speaking; for notwithstanding their recent 
rupture, the most perfect cordiality was again existing 
between them. ^^This goes to prove that I turned the 
horses with the reins, for no man who is shot in the right 
shoulder can have strength enough to bring round such 
obstinate devils. I knew I did it from the first; but I did 
not want to multiply words with Marmaduke about it. — 
\Yill you bite, you villain? — hip, boys, hip! Old Natty 
too, that is the best of it! — Well, well — ’duke will say 
no more about my deer — and the Judge fired both barrels, 
and hit nothing but a poor lad, who was behind a pine tree. 
I must help that quack to take out the buck-shot for the 
poor fellow.” In this manner Eichard descended the moun- 
tain; the bells ringing, and his tongue going, until they 
entered the village, when the whole attention of the driver 
was devoted to a displaj^ of his horsemanship, to the admira- 
tion of all the gaping women and children who thronged the 
windows to witness the arrival of their landlord and his 
daughter. 

1 In America the term Yankee is of local meaning. It is thought to be 
derived from the manner in which the Indians of New England pronounced 
the word “ English ” or “ Yengeese.” New York being originally a Dutch 
province, the term of course was not known there, and further south dif- 
ferent dialects among the natives themselves, probably produced a differ- 
ent pronunciation. Marmaduke and his cousin being Pennsylvanians by 
birth, were not Yankees in the American sense of the word. 


CHAPTEK V. 


Nathaniel’s coat, sir, was not fully made. 

And Gabriel’s pumps were all unpink’d i’ th’ heel ; 

There was no link to color Peter’s hat. 

And Walter’s dagger was not come from sheathing ; 

There were none fine, but Adam, Ralph, and Gregory. 

• Shakspeare. 

After winding along the side of the mountain, the road, 
on reaching the gentle declivity which lay at the base of 
the hill, turned at a right angle to its former course, and 
shot down an inclined plane, directly into the village of 
Templeton. The rapid little stream that we have already 
mentioned, was crossed by a bridge of hewn timber, which 
manifested, by its rude construction, and the unnecessary 
size of its framework, both the value of labor and the 
abundance of materials. This little torrent, whose dark 
waters gushed over the limestones that lined its bottom, 
was nothing less than one of the many sources of the Sus- 
quehanna ; a river to which the Atlantic herself has extended 
an arm in welcome. It was at this point that the powerful 
team of Mr. Jones brought him up to the more sober steeds 
of our travellers. A small hill was risen, and Elizabeth 
found herself at once amidst the incongruous dwellings of 
the village. The street was of the ordinary width, notwith- 
standing the eye might embrace, in one view, thousands 
and tens of thousands of acres, that were yet tenanted only 
by the beast of the forest. But such had been the will of 
her father, and such had also met the wishes of his fol- 
lowers. To them the road, that made the most rapid ap- 
proaches to the condition of the old, or, as they expressed 
it, the down countries, was the most pleasant; and surely 
nothing could look more like civilization than a city, even 
if it lay in a wilderness ! The width of the street, for so 

48 


THE PIONEERS. 


49 


it was called, might have been one hundred feet; but the 
track for the sleighs was much more limited. On either 
side of the highway were piled huge heaps of logs that 
were daily increasing rather than diminishing in size, not- 
withstanding the enormous fires that might be seen through 
every window. 

The last object at which Elizabeth gazed when they re- 
t newed their journey, after the rencontre with Eichard, was 
the sun, as it expanded in the refraction of the horizon, and 
over whose disk the dark umbrage of a pine was stealing, 
while it slowly sank behind the western hills. But his set- 
fc ting rays darted along the openings of the mountain she was 
I on, and lighted the shining covering of the birches, until their 
[ smooth and glossy coats nearly rivalled the mountain sides 
ii in color. The outline of each dark pine was delineated far 
;! in the depths of the forest; and the rocks, too smooth and 
I too perpendicular to retain the snow that had fallen, bright- 
j ened, as if smiling at the leave-taking of the luminary. 

But at each step, as they descended, Elizabeth observed 
I that they were leaving the day behind them. Even the 
heartless but bright rays of a December sun were missed, 

I as they glided into the cold gloom of the valley. Along 
the summits of the mountains in the eastern range, it is 
true, the light still lingered, receding step by step from the 
earth into the clouds that were gathering, with the evening 
mist, about the limited horizon; but the frozen lake lay 
without a shadow on its bosom ; the dwellings were becom- 
ing already gloomy and indistinct; and the wood-cutters 
were shouldering their axes, and preparing to enjoy, 
throughout the long evening before them, the comforts 
of those exhilarating fires that their labor had been sup- 
plying with fuel. They paused only to gaze at the pass- 
ing sleighs, to lift their caps to Marmaduke, to exchange 
familiar nods with Eichard, and each disappeared in his 
dwelling. The paper curtains dropped behind our travel- 
lers in every window, shutting from the air even the fire- 
light of the cheerful apartments ; and when the horses of 
her father turned, with a rapid whirl, into the open gate of 
the mansion-house, and nothing stood before her but the 


E 


50 


THE PIONEERS. 


cold dreary stone walls of the building as she approached 
them through an avenue of young and leafless poplars, 
Elizabeth felt as if all the loveliness of the mountain-view 
had vanished like the fancies of a dream. Marmaduke 
retained so much of his early habits as to reject the use of 
bells; but the equipage of Mr. Jones came dashing through 
the gate after them, sending its jingling sounds through 
every cranny of the building, and in a moment the dwelling 
was in an uproar. 

On a stone platform, of rather small proportions, con- 
sidering the size of the building, Eichard and Hiram had, 
conjointly, reared four little columns of wood, which in 
their turn supported the shingled roofs of the portico — 
this was the name that Mr. Jones had thought proper to 
give to a very plain, covered entrance. The ascent to the 
platform was by five or six stone steps, somewhat hastily 
laid together, and which the frost had already begun to 
move from their symmetrical positions. But the evils of 
a cold climate, and a superficial construction, did not end 
here. As the steps lowered, the platform necessarily fell 
also, and the foundations actually left the superstructure 
suspended in the air, leaving an open space of a foot between ; 
the base of the pillars and the stones on which they had 
originally been placed. It was lucky for the whole fabric I 
that the carpenter, who did the manual part of the labor, ! 
had fastened the canopy of this classic entrance so firmly 
to the side of the house, that, when the base deserted the 
superstructure in the manner we have described, and the . 
pillars, for the want of a foundation, were no longer of I 
service to support the roof, the roof was able to uphold the j 
pillars. Here was, indeed, an unfortunate gap left in the | 
ornamental part of Eichard’ s column; but, like the window j 
in Aladdin’s palace, it seemed only left in order to prove ! 
the fertility of its master’s resources. The composite order 
again offered its advantages, and a second edition of the 
base was given, as the booksellers say, with additions and # 
improvements. It was necessarily larger, and it was prop- I' 
erly ornamented with mouldings : still the steps continued ft 
to yield, and, at the moment when Elizabeth returned to I 


THE PIONEERS. 


51 


her father’s door, a few rough wedges were driven under 
the pillars to keep them steady, and to prevent their weight 
from separating them from the pediment which they ought 
to have supported. 

From the great door which opened into the porch emerged 
two or three female domestics, and one male. The latter 
was bare-headed, but evidently more dressed than usual, 
and on the whole was of so singular a formation and attire, 
as to deserve a more minute description. He was about 
five feet in height, of a square and athletic frame, with a 
pair of shoulders that would have fitted a grenadier. His 
low stature was rendered the more striking by a bend for- 
ward that he was in the habit of assuming for no apparent 
reason, unless it might be to give greater freedom to his 
arms, in a particularly sweeping swing, that they con- 
stantly practised when their master was in motion. His 
face was long, of fair complexion, burnt to a fi^ry red; 
with a snub nose, cocked into an inveterate pug; a mouth 
of enormous dimensions, filled with fine teeth; and a pair 
of blue eyes, that seemed to look about them, on surround- 
ing objects, with habitual contempt. His head composed 
full one-fourth of his whole length, and the queue that 
depended from its rear occupied another. He wore a coat 
of very light drab cloth, with buttons as large as dollars, 
bearing the impression of a “foul anchor.” The skirts 
were extremely long, reaching quite to the calf, and were 
broad in proportion. Beneath, there were a vest and 
breeches of red plush, somewhat worn and soiled. He had 
shoes with large buckles, and stockings of blue and white 
stripes. 

This odd-looking figure reported himself to be a native 
of the county of Cornwall, in the island of Great Britain. 
His boyhood had passed in the neighborhood of the tin 
mines, and his youth as the cabin-boy of a smuggler, 
between Falmouth and Guernsey. From this trade he had 
been impressed into the service of his king, and, for the 
want of a better, had been taken into the cabin, first as a 
servant, and finally as steward to the captain. Here he 
acquired the art of making chowder, lobskous, and one or 


52 


THE PIONEERS. 


two other sea-dishes, and, as he was fond of saying, had an 
opportunity of seeing the world. With the exception of 
one or two out-ports in France, and an occasional visit to 
Portsmouth, Plymouth, and Deal, he had in reality seen 
no more of mankind, however, than if he had been riding 
a donkey in one of his native mines. But, being discharged 
from the navy at the peace of ^83, he declared that, as he 
had seen all the civilized parts of the earth, he was inclined 
to make a trip to the wilds of America. We will not trace 
him in his brief wanderings, under the influence of that 
spirit of emigration that sometimes induces a dapper Cock- 
ney to quit his home, and lands him, before the sound of 
Bow bells is out of his ears, within the roar of the cataract 
of Niagara; but shall only add, that, at a very early day, 
even before Elizabeth had been sent to school, he had found 
his way into the family of Marmaduke Temple, where, ow- 
ing to a combination of qualities that will be developed 
in the course of the tale, he held, under Mr. Jones, the 
oflice of Major-domo. The name of this worthy was Ben- 
jamin Penguillan, according to his own pronunciation; but, 
owing to a marvellous tale that he was in the habit of relat- 
ing, concerning the length of time he had to labor to 
keep his ship from sinking after Rodney’s victory, he had 
universally acquired the nickname of Ben Pump. 

By the side of Benjamin, and pressing forward as if a 
little jealous of her station, stood a middle-aged woman, 
dressed in calico, rather violently contrasted in color with 
a tall, meagre, shapeless figure, sharp features, and a some- 
what acute expression of her physiognomy. Her teeth 
were mostly gone, and what did remain were of a light 
yellow. The skin of her nose was drawn tightly over the 
member, to hang in large wrinkles in her cheeks and about 
her mouth. She took snuff in such quantities, as to create 
the impression that she owed the saffron of her lips and 
the adjacent parts to this circumstance; but it was the 
unvarying color of her whole face. She presided over the 
female part of the domestic arrangements, in the capacity 
of housekeeper; was a spinster, and bore the name of 
Remarkable Pettibone. To Elizabeth she was an entire 


K 

I 

i 


THE PIONEERS. 


53 / 

stranger, having been introduced into the family since the 
death of her mother. 

In addition to these, were three or four subordinate 
menials, mostly black, some appearing at the principal 
door, and some running from the end of the building, 
where stood the entrance to the cellar-kitchen. 

Besides these, there was a general rush from Eichard’s 
kennel, acompanied with every canine tone, from the howl 
of the wolf-dog to the petulant bark of the terrier. The 
master received their boisterous salutations with a variety 
of imitations from his own throat, when the dogs, probably 
from shame of being outdone, ceased their outcry. One 
stately, powerful mastiff, who wore round his neck a brass 
collar, with T.’’ engraved in large letters on the rim, 
alone was silent. He walked majestically, amid the con- 
fusion, to the side of the Judge, where, receiving a kind 
pat or two, he turned to Elizabeth, who even stooped to 
kiss him, as she called him kindly by the name of Old 
Brave.’’ The animal seemed to know her, as she ascended 
the steps, supported by Monsieur Le Quoi and her father, 
in order to protect her from falling on the ice with which 
they were covered. He looked wistfully after her figure, 
and when the door closed on the whole party, he laid him- 
self in a kennel that was placed nigh by, as if conscious 
that the house contained something of additional value to 
guard. 

Elizabeth followed her father, who paused a moment to 
whisper a message to one of his domestics, into a large 
hall, that was dimly lighted by two candles, placed in high, 
old-fashioned, brass candlesticks. The door closed, and 
the party were at once removed from an atmosphere that 
was nearly at zero, to one of sixty degrees above. In the 
centre of the hall stood an enormous stove, the sides of 
which appeared to be quivering with heat; from which a 
large, straight pipe, leading through the ceiling above, 
carried off the smoke. An iron basin, containing water, 
was placed on this furnace, for such only it could be called, 
in order to preserve a proper humidity in the apartment. 
The room was carpeted, and furnished with convenient, 


54 


THE PIONEERS. 


substantial furniture, some of which was brought from the 
city, and the remainder having been manufactured by the 
mechanics of Templeton. There was a sideboard of mahog- 
any, inlaid with ivory, and bearing enormous handles of 
glittering brass, and groaning under the piles of silver 
plate. Near it stood a set of prodigious tables, made of 
the wild cherry, to imitate the imported wood of the side- 
board, but plain, and without ornament of any kind. 
Opposite to these stood a smaller table, formed from a 
lighter-colored wood, through the grains of which the wavy 
lines of the curled maple of the mountains were beauti- 
fully undulating. Near to this, in a corner, stood a heavy, 
old-fashioned, brass-faced clock, encased in a high box, of 
the dark hue of the black walnut from the sea-shore. An 
enormous settee, or sofa, covered with light chintz, stretched 
along the walls for near twenty feet on one side of the hall; 
and chairs of wood, painted a light yellow, with black lines 
that were drawn by no very steady hand, were ranged 
opposite, and in the intervals between the other pieces of 
furniture. A Fahrenheit’s thermometer, in a mahogany 
case, and with a barometer annexed, was hung against the 
wall, at some little distance from the stove, which Benja- 
min consulted, every half-hour, with prodigious exactitude. 
Two small glass chandeliers were suspended at equal dis- 
tances between the stove and the outer doors, one of which 
opened at each end of the hall, and gilt lustres were affixed 
to the framework of the numerous side doors that led from 
the apartment. Some little display in architecture had 
been made in constructing these frames and casings, which 
were surmounted with pediments, that bore each a little 
pedestal in its centre: on these pedestals were small busts 
in blacked plaster of Paris. The style of the pedestals, 
as well as the selection of the busts, were all due to 
the taste of Mr. Jones. On one stood Homer, a most 
striking likeness, Eichard affirmed, “as any one might see, 
for it was blind.” Another bore the image of a smooth- 
visaged gentleman with a pointed beard, whom he called 
Shakspeare. A third ornament was an urn, which from 
its shape, Eichard was accustomed to say, intended to 


THE PIONEERS. 


55 


represent itself as holding the ashes of Dido. A fourth 
was certainly old Franklin, in his cap and spectacles. A 
fifth as surely bore the dignified composure of the face of 
Washington. A sixth was a nondescript, representing ^^a 
man with a shirt collar open,” to use the language of 
Kichard, “with a laurel on his head; — it was Julius 
Caesar or Dr. Faustus ; there were good reasons for believ- 
ing either.” 

The walls were hung with a dark, lead -colored English 
paper that represented Britannia weeping over the tomb of 
Wolfe. The hero himself stood at a little distance from the 
mourning goddess, and at the edge of the paper. Each 
width contained the figure, with the slight exception of one 
arm of the General, which ran over on the next piece, so that 
when Bichard essayed, with his own hands, to put together 
this delicate outline, some difficulties occurred that pre- 
vented a nice conjunction; and Britannia had reason to 
lament, in addition to the loss of her favorite’s life, num- 
berless cruel amputations of his right arm. 

The luckless cause of these unnatural divisions now an- 
nounced his presence in the hall by a loud crack of his whip. 

“Why, Benjamin! you Ben Pump! is this the manner 
in which you receive the heiress?” he cried. “Excuse 
him, cousin Elizabeth. The arrangements were too intri- 
cate to be trusted to every one; but now I am here, things 
will go on better. Come, light up, Mr. Penguillan, light 
up, light up, and let us see one another’s faces. Well, 
’duke, I have brought home your deer; what is to be done 
with it, ha? ” 

“By the Lord, Squire,” commenced Benjamin in reply, 
first giving his mouth a wipe with the back of his hand, 
“if this here thing had been ordered sum’at earlier in the 
day, it might have been got up, d’ye see, to your liking. 
I had mustered all hands, and was exercising candles, when 
you hove in sight; but when the women heard your bells 
they started an end, as if they were riding the boatswain’s 
colt; and, if-so-be there is that man in the house, who can 
bring up a parcel of women when they have got headway 
on them, until they’ve run out the end of their rope, his 


56 


THE PIONEERS. 


name is not Benjamin Pump. But Miss Betsey here must 
have altered more than a privateer in disguise, since she 
has got on her woman’s duds, if she will take offence with 
an old fellow for the small matter of lighting a few 
candles.” 

Elizabeth and her father continued silent, for both expe- 
rienced the same sensation on entering the hall. The 
former had resided one year in the building before she left 
home for school, and the figure of its lamented mistress 
was missed by both husband and child. 

But candles had been placed in the chandeliers and lus- 
tres, and the attendants were so far recovered from surprise 
as to recollect their use; the oversight was immediately 
remedied, and in a minute the apartment was in a blaze of 
light. 

The slight melancholy of our heroine and her father was 
banished by this brilliant interruption; and the whole party 
began to lay aside the numberless garments they had worn 
in the air. 

During this operation. Bichard kept up a desultory 
dialogue with the different domestics, occasionally throw- 
ing out a remark to the Judge concerning the deer; but as 
his conversation at such moments was much like an accom- 
paniment on a piano, a thing that is heard without being 
attended to, we will not undertake the task of recording 
his diffuse discourse. 

The instant that Bemarkable Pettibone had executed her 
portion of the labor in illuminating, she returned to a posi- 
tion near Elizabeth, with the apparent motive of receiving 
the clothes that the other threw aside, but in reality to 
examine, with an air of curiosity, — not unmixed with jeal- 
ousy, — the appearance of the lady who was to supplant her 
in the administration of their domestic economy. The 
housekeeper felt a little appalled, when, after cloaks, coats, 
shawls, and socks had been taken off in succession, the 
large black hood was removed, and the dark ringlets, shin- 
ing like the raven’s wing, fell from her head, and left the 
sweet but commanding features of the young lady exposed 
to view. Nothing could be fairer and more spotless than 


THE PIONEERS. 


57 


the forehead of Elizabeth, and preserve the appearance of 
life and health. Her nose would have been called Grecian, 
but for a softly rounded swell, that gave in character to the 
feature what it lost in beauty. Her mouth, at first sight, 
seemed only made for love ; but the instant that its muscles 
moved, every expression that womanly dignity could utter 
played around it with the flexibility of female grace. It 
spoke not only to the ear but to the eye. So much added 
to a form of exquisite proportions, rather full and rounded 
for her years, and of the tallest medium height, she 
inherited from her mother. Even the color of her eye, 
the arched brows, and the long silken lashes, came from 
the same source; but its expression was her father’s. Inert 
and composed, it was soft, benevolent, and attractive; but 
it could be roused, and that without much difficulty. At 
such moments it was still beautiful, though it was a little 
severe. As the last shawl fell aside, and she stood dressed 
in a rich blue riding-habit, that fitted her form with the 
nicest exactness; her cheeks burning with roses that 
bloomed the richer for the heat of the hall, and her eyes 
slightly suffused with moisture that rendered their ordinary 
beauty more dazzling, and with every feature of her speak- 
ing countenance illuminated by the lights that flared around 
her, Eemarkable felt that her own power had ended. 

The business of unrobing had been simultaneous. Mar- 
maduke appeared in a suit of plain neat black ; Monsieur Le 
Quoi, in a coat of snuff color, covering a vest of embroidery, 
with breeches, and silk stockings, and buckles — that were 
commonly thought to be of paste. Major Hartmann wore 
a coat of sky-blue, with large brass buttons, a club-wig, and 
boots; and Mr. Richard Jones had set off his dapper little 
form in a frock of bottle-green, with bullet-buttons, by one 
of which the sides were united over his well-rounded waist, 
opening above, so as to show a jacket of red cloth, with an 
under-vest of flannel, faced with green velvet, and below, 
so as to exhibit a pair of buckskin breeches, with long, 
soiled, white top-boots, and spurs; one of the latter a little 
bent, from its recent attacks on the stool. 

When the young lady had extricated herself from her 


58 


THE PIONEERS. 


garments, she was at liberty to gaze about her, and to 
examine not only the household over which she was to pre- 
side, but also the air and manner in which their domestic 
arrangements were conducted. Although there was much 
incongruity in the furniture and appearance of the hall, 
there was nothing mean. The floor was carpeted, even in 
its remotest corners. The brass candlesticks, the gilt lus- 
tres, and the glass chandeliers, whatever might be their 
keeping as to propriety and taste, were admirably kept as 
to all the purposes of use and comfort. They were clean 
and glittering in the strong light of the apartment. Com- 
pared with the chill aspect of the December night without, 
the warmth and brilliancy of the apartment produced an 
effect that was not unlike enchantment. Her eye had not 
time to detect in detail the little errors, which, in truth, 
existed, but was glancing around her in delight, when an 
object arrested her view, that was in strong contrast to the 
smiling faces and neatly attired personages who had thus 
assembled to do honor to the heiress of Templeton. 

In a corner of the hall near the grand entrance, stood the 
young hunter, unnoticed, and for the moment apparently 
forgotten. But even the forgetfulness of the Judge, which, 
under the influence of strong emotion, had banished the 
recollection of the wound of this stranger, seemed surpassed 
by the absence of mind in the youth himself. On entering 
the apartment he had mechanically lifted his cap, and 
exposed a head covered with hair that rivalled in color and 
gloss the locks of Elizabeth. Nothing could have wrought 
a greater transformation than the single act of removing 
the rough foxskin cap. If there was much that was pre- 
possessing in the countenance of the young hunter, there 
was something even noble in the rounded outlines of his 
head and brow. The very air and manner with which the 
member haughtily maintained itself over the coarse and 
even wild attire in which the rest of his frame was clad, 
bespoke not only familiarity with a splendor that in those 
new settlements was thought to be unequalled, but some- 
thing very like contempt also. 

The hand that held the cap rested lightly on the little 


THE PIONEERS. 


59 


ivory-mounted piano of Elizabeth, with neither rustic 
restraint nor obtrusive vulgarity. A single finger touched 
the instrument, as if accustomed to dwell on such places. 
His other arm was extended to its utmost length, and the 
hand grasped the barrel of his long rifle with something 
like convulsive energy. The act and the attitude were 
both involuntary, and evidently proceeded from a feeling 
much deeper than that of vulgar surprise. His appearance, 
connected as it was with the rough exterior of his dress, 
rendered him entirely distinct from the busy group that 
were moving across the other end of the long hall, occupied 
in receiving the travellers and exchanging their welcomes ; 
and Elizabeth continued to gaze at him in wonder. The 
contraction of the stranger’s brows increased as his eyes 
moved slowly from one object to another. For moments 
the expression of his countenance was fierce, and then again 
it seemed to pass away in some painful emotion. The arm 
that was extended bent, and brought the hand nigh to his 
face, when his head dropped upon it, and concealed the 
wonderfully speaking lineaments. 

^‘A\e forget, dear sir, the strange gentleman” (for her 
life Elizabeth could not call him otherwise), ^‘whom we 
have brought here for assistance, and to whom we owe 
every attention.” 

All eyes were instantly turned in the direction of those of 
the speaker, and the youth rather proudly elevated his head 
again, while he answered — 

My wound is trifling, and I believe that Judge Temple 
sent for a physician the moment we arrived.” 

Certainly,” said Marmaduke; ‘‘1 have not forgotten 
the object of thy visit, young man, nor the nature of my 
debt.” 

Oh ! ” exclaimed Eichard, with something of a waggish 
leer, thou owest the lad for the venison, I suppose, that 
thou killed, cousin ’duke! Marmaduke! Marmaduke! 
That was a marvellous tale of thine about the buck! 
Here, young man, are two dollars for the deer, and J udge 
Temple can do no less than pay the doctor. I shall charge 
you nothing for my services, but you shall not fare the 


60 


THE PIONEERS. 


worse for that. Come, come, ’duke, don’t be down-hearted 
about it: if you missed the buck, you contrived to shoot 
this poor fellow through a pine tree. Now I own that you 
have beat me; I never did such a thing in all my life.” 

^‘And I hope never will,” returned the Judge, “if you 
are to experience the uneasiness that I have suffered. But 
be of good cheer, my young friend, the injury must be 
small, as thou mo vest thy arm with apparent freedom.” 

“Don’t make the matter worse, ’duke, by pretending to 
talk about surgery,” interrupted Mr. Jones, with a con- 
temptuous wave of the hand ; “ it is a science that can only 
be learnt by practice. You know that my grandfather was 
a doctor, but you haven’t got a drop of medical blood in 
your veins. These kind of things run in families. All 
my family by the father’s side had a knack at physic. 
There was my uncle that was killed at Brandywine, — he 
died as easy again as any other man in the regiment, just 
from knowing how to hold his breath naturally. Few men 
know how to breathe naturally.” 

“I doubt not, Dickon,” returned the Judge, meeting the 
bright smile which, in spite of himself, stole over the *1 
stranger’s features, “that thy family thoroughly under- 
stood the art of letting life slip through their fingers.” | 
Eichard heard him quite coolly, and putting a hand in > 
either pocket of his surtout, so as to press forward the A 
skirts, began to whistle a tune; but the desire to reply.] 
overcame his philosophy, aiid with great heat he ex-'j 
claimed — I 

“You may affect to smile. Judge Temple, at hereditary] 
virtues, if you please: but there is not a man on your'^ 
Patent who don’t know better. Here, even this young ‘ 
man, who has never seen anything but bears, and deer, •' 
and woodchucks, knows better than to believe virtues are 
not transmitted in families. Don’t you, friend?” j 

“I believe that vice is not,” said the stranger, abruptly, 
— his eye glancing from the father to the daughter. 

“The squire is right. Judge,” observed Benjamin, with 
a knowing nod of his head towards Eichard, that bespoke 
the cordiality between them. “ Now, in the old country, 


THE PIONEERS. 


61 


I the king’s majesty touches for the evil, and that is a dis- 
i order that the greatest doctor in the fleet, or, for the matter 
of that, admiral either, can’t cure; only the king’s majesty, 
or a man that’s been hanged. Yes, the squire is right; for 
if so be that he wasn’t, how is it that the seventh son 
always is a doctor, whether he ships for the cock-pit or 
not? Now, when we fell in with the mounsheers, under 
De Grasse, d’ye see, we had aboard of us a doctor — ” 
‘‘Very well, Benjamin,” interrupted Elizabeth, glancing 
her eyes from the hunter to Monsieur Le Quoi, who was 
most politely attending to what fell from each individual 
in succession, “you shall tell me of that, and all your 
entertaining adventures together; just now, a room must 
be prepared, in which the arm of this gentleman can be 
dressed.” 

“ I will attend to that myself, cousin Elizabeth, ” observed 
Bichard, somewhat haughtily. “ The young man shall not 
suffer because Marmaduke chooses to be a little obstinate. 
Follow me, my friend, and I will examine the hurt myself.” 

“It will be well to wait for the physician,” said the 
hunter, coldly; “he cannot be distant.” 

I Bichard paused and looked at the speaker, a little aston- 
ished at the language, and a good deal appalled at the 
refusal. He construed the latter into an act of hostility, 
and placing his hands in the pockets again, he walked up 
to Mr. Grant, and putting his face close to the countenance 
I of the divine, said in an undertone — 

I “Now, mark my words: — there will be a story among 
! the settlers, that all our necks would have been broken but 
for that fellow — as if I did not know how to drive. Why, 
you might have turned the horses yourself, sir; nothing 
was easier; it was only pulling hard on the nigh rein, and 
touching the off flank of the leader. I hope, my dear sir, 
you are not at all hurt by the upset the lad gave us? ” 

The reply was interrupted by the entrance of the village 
physician. 


CHAPTER VI. 


And about his shelves, 

A beggarly account of empty boxes, 

Green earthen pots, bladders, and musty seeds, 

Remnants of packthread, and old cakes of roses. 

Were thinly scattered to make up a show. 

Shakspeare. 

Doctor Elnathan Todd, for such was the name of the ( 
man of physic, was commonly thought to be, among the ^ 
settlers, a gentleman of great mental endowments; and i 
he was assuredly of rare personal proportions. In height j 
he measured, without his shoes, exactly six feet and four \ 
inches. His hands, feet, and knees corresponded in every 
respect with this formidable stature ; but every other part i 
of his frame appeared to have been intended for a man ’ 
several sizes smaller, if we except the length of the limbs. 
His shoulders were square, in one sense at least, being in 
a right line from one side to the other; but they were so 
narrow, that the long dangling arms they supported seemed 
to issue out of his back. His neck possessed, in an eminent j 
degree, the property of length to which we have alluded, | 
and it was topped by a small bullet-head that exhibited, on j 
one side, a bush of bristling brown hair, and on the other, 
a short, twinkling visage, that appeared to maintain a con- 
stant struggle with itself in order to look wise. He was 
the youngest son of a fanner in the western part of Massa- 
chusetts, who, being in somewhat easy circumstances, had 
allowed this boy to shoot up to the height we have men- 
tioned, without the ordinary interruptions of field-labor, 
wood-chopping, and such other toils as were imposed on 
his brothers. Elnathan was indebted for this exemption 
from labor in some measure to his extraordinary growth, 
which, leaving him pale, inanimate, and listless, induced 

62 


THE PIONEERS. 


63 


his tender mother to pronounce him sickly boy, 8.nd one 
that was not equal to work, but who might earn a living, 
comfortably enough, by taking to pleading law, or turning 
minister, or doctoring, or some such like easy calling.” 
Still there was great uncertainty which of these vocations 
the youth was best endowed to fill; but, having no other 
employment, the stripling was constantly lounging about 
the ^‘homestead,” munching green apples, and hunting for 
sorrel ; when the same sagacious eye that had brought to 
light his latent talents, seized upon this circumstance, as a 
clue to his future path through the turmoils of the world. 
“ Elnathan was cut out for a doctor, she knew, for he was 
for ever digging for herbs, and tasting all kinds of things 
that grow’d about the lots. Then again he had a natural 
love for doctor-stuff, for when she had left the bilious pills 
out for her man, all nicely covered with maple sugar, just 
ready to take, Nathan had come in, and swallowed them, 
for all the world as if they were nothing, while Ichabod 
(her husband) could never get one down without making 
such desperate faces, that it was awful to look on.” 

This discovery decided the matter. Elnathan, then about 
fifteen, was, much like a wild colt, caught and trimmed by 
clipping his bushy locks; dressed in a suit of homespun, 
dyed in the butternut bark; furnished with a ‘‘New Testa- 
ment,” and a “Webster^s Spelling Book,” and sent to 
school. As the boy was by nature quite shrewd enough, 
and had previously, at odd times, laid the foundations of 
reading, writing, and arithmetic, he was soon conspicuous 
in the school for his learning. The delighted mother had 
the gratification of hearing, from the lips of the master, 
that her son was a “prodigious boy, and far above all his 
class.” He also thought that “the youth had a natural 
love for doctoring, as he had known him frequently advise 
the smaller children against eating too much ; and once or 
twice, when the ignorant little things had persevered in 
opposition to Elnathan ’s advice, he had known her son 
empty the school baskets with his own mouth, to prevent 
the consequences.” 

Soon after this comfortable declaration from his school- 


64 


THE PIONEERS. 


master the lad was removed to the house of the village 
doctor, a gentleman whose early career had not been unlike 
that of our hero, where he was to be seen, sometimes water- 
ing a horse, at others watering medicines, blue, yellow, and 
red; then again he might be noticed, lolling under an 
apple tree, with Euddiman's Latin Grammar in his hand, 
and a corner of Denman’s Midwifery sticking out of a 
pocket; for his instructor held it absurd to teach his pupil 
how to despatch a patient regularly from this world, before 
he knew how to bring him into it. 

This kind of life continued for a twelvemonth, when he 
suddenly appeared at meeting in a long coat (and well did 
it deserve the name !) of black homespun, with little bootees, 
bound with uncolored calfskin, for the want of red morocco. 

Soon after he was seen shaving with a dull razor. Three 
or four months had scarce elapsed before several elderly 
ladies were observed hastening towards the house of a poor 
woman in the village, while others were running to and fro 
in great apparent distress. — One or two boys were mounted, 
bareback, on horses, and sent off at speed in various direc- 
tions. Several indirect questions were put concerning the 
place where the physician was last seen ; but all would not do ; 
and at length Elnathan was seen issuing from his door with 
a very grave air, preceded by a little white-headed boy, 
out of breath, trotting before him. The following day the 
youth appeared in the street, as the highway was called, 
and the neighborhood was much edified by the additional 
gravity of his air. The same week he bought a new razor : 
and the succeeding Sunday he entered the meeting-house 
with a red silk handkerchief in his hand, and with an 
extremely demure countenance. In the evening he called 
upon a young woman of his own class in life, for there 
were no others to be found, and, when he was left alone 
with the fair, he was called for the first time in his life. 
Dr. Todd, by her prudent mother. The ice once broken 
in this manner, Elnathan was greeted from every mouth 
with his official appellation. 

Another year passed under the superintendence of the 
same master, during which the young physician had the 


THE PIONEERS. 


65 


credit of “riding with the old doctor,’’ although they were 
generally observed to travel different roads. At the end 
of that period, Dr. Todd attained his legal majority. He 
then took a jaunt to Boston to purchase medicines, and, as 
some intimated, to walk the hospital; we know not how 
the latter might have been, but if true, he soon walked 
through it, for he returned within a fortnight, bringing 
with him a suspicious-looking box, that smelled powerfully 
of brimstone. 

The next Sunday he was married: and the following 
morning he entered a one-horse sleigh with his bride, hav- 
ing before him the box we have mentioned, with another 
filled with home-made household linen, a paper-covered 
trunk, with a red umbrella lashed to it, a pair of quite 
new saddle-bags, and a bandbox. The next intelligence 
that his friends received of the bride and bridegroom was, 
that the latter was “ settled in the new countries, and well- 
to-do as a doctor, in Templeton, in York state ! ” 

If a Templar would smile at the qualifications of Marma- 
duke to fill the judicial seat he occupied, we are certain 
that a graduate of Leyden or Edinburgh would be extremely 
amused with this true narration of the servitude of Elna- 
than in the temple of iEsculapius. But the same consola- 
tion was afforded to both the jurist and the leech; for 
Dr. Todd was quite as much on a level with his compeers 
of the profession, in that country, as was Marmaduke with 
his brethren on the bench. 

Time and practice did wonders for the physician. He 
was naturally humane, but possessed of no small share of 
moral courage; or, in other words, he was chary of the 
lives of his patients, and never tried uncertain experiments 
on such members of society as were considered useful; but 
once or twice when a luckless vagrant had come under his 
care, he was a little addicted to trying the effects of every 
phial in his saddle-bags on the stranger’s constitution. 
Happily their number was small, and in most cases their 
natures innocent. By these means Elnathan had acquired 
a certain degree of knowledge in fevers and agues, and 
could talk with much judgment concerning intermittents, 

F 


66 


THE PIONEERS. 


remittents, tertians, quotidians, etc. In certain cutaneous 
disorders very prevalent in new settlements, he was con- 
sidered to be infallible; and there was no woman on the 
Patent, but would as soon think of becoming a mother 
without a husband as without the assistance of Dr. Todd. 
In short he was rearing, on this foundation of sand, a super- 
structure, cemented by practice, though composed of some- 
what brittle materials. He however occasionally renewed 
his elementary studies, and, with the observation of a 
shrewd mind, was comfortably applying his practice to his 
theory. 

In surgery, having the least experience, and it being a 
business that spoke directly to the senses, he was most 
apt to distrust his own powers : but he had applied oils to 
several burns, cut round the roots of sundry defective 
teeth, and sewed up the wounds of numberless wood-chop- 
pers, with considerable eclat, when an unfortunate jobber ^ 
suffered a fracture of his leg by the tree that he had been 
felling. It was on this occasion that our hero encountered 
the greatest trial his nerves and moral feeling had ever 
sustained. In the hour of need, however, he was not 
found wanting. — Most of the amputations in the new set- 
tlements, and they were quite frequent, were performed by 
some one practitioner, who, possessing originally a reputa- 
tion, was enabled by this circumstance- to acquire an expe- 
rience that rendered him deserving of it; and Elnathan had 
been present at one or two of these operations. But on the 
present occasion the man of practice was not to be obtained, 
and the duty fell, as a matter of course, to the share of 
Mr. Todd. He went to work with a kind of blind desper- 
ation, observing, at the same time, all the externals of 
decent gravity and great skill. The sufferer’s name was 
Milligan, and it was to this event that Richard alluded 
when he spoke of assisting the Doctor at an amputation — 
by holding the leg! The limb was certainly cut off, and 
the patient survived the operation. It was, however, two 
years before poor Milligan ceased to complain that they 
had buried the leg in so narrow a box, that it was straitened^ 
J People who elear by tbe acre or job, are thus called. 


THE PIONEERS. 


67 


for room; he could feel the pain shooting up from the 
inhumed fragment into the living members. Marmaduke 
suggested that the fault might lie in the arteries and 
nerves: but Bichard, considering the amputation as part 
of his own handiwork, strongly repelled the insinuation, 
at the same time declaring, that he had often heard of men 
who could tell when it was about to rain, by the toes of 
amputated limbs. After two or three years, notwithstand- 
ing Milligan’s complaints gradually diminished, the leg 
was dug up, and a larger box furnished, and from that 
hour no one had heard the sufferer utter another complaint 
on the subject. This gave the public great confidence in 
Dr. Todd, whose reputation was hourly increasing, and, 
luckily for his patients, his information also. 

Notwithstanding Dr. Todd’s practice, and his success 
with the leg, he was not a little appalled on entering the 
hall of the mansion-house. It was glaring with the light 
of day; it looked so splendid and imposing, compared with 
the hastily built and scantily furnished apartments which 
he frequented in his ordinary practice, and contained so 
many well-dressed persons and anxious faces, that his usu- 
ally firm nerves were a good deal discomposed. He had 
heard from the messenger who summoned him, that it was 
a gun-shot wound, and had come from his own home, wad- 
ing through the snow, with his saddle-bags thrown over his 
arm, while ^parated arteries, penetrated lungs, and injured 
vitals, were whirling through his brain, as if he were stalk- 
ing over a field of battle, instead of Judge Temple’s peace- 
able inclosure. 

The first object that, met his eye, as he moved into the 
room, was Elizabeth in her riding-habit, richly laced with 
gold cord, her fine form bending towards him, and her face 
expressing deep anxiety in every one of its beautiful feat- 
ures. The enormous bony knees of the physician struck 
each other with a noise that was audible ; for in the absent 
state of his mind, he mistook her for a general officer, 
perforated with bullets, hastening from the field of battle 
to implore assistance. The delusion, however, was but 
momentary, and his eye glanced rapidly from the daughter 


68 


THE PIONEERS. 


to the earnest dignity of the father's countenance: thence 
to the busy strut of Eichard, who was cooling his impa- 
tience at the hunter’s indifference to his assistance, by 
pacing the hall and cracking his whip; from him to the 
Frenchman, who had stood for several minutes unheeded 
with a chair for the lady; thence to Major Hartmann, who 
was very coolly lighting a pipe three feet long by a candle 
in one of the chandeliers ; thence to Mr. Grant, who was 
turning over a manuscript with much earnestness at one of 
the lustres; thence to Remarkable, who stood, with her 
arms demurely folded before her, surveying with a look of 
admiration and envy the dress and beauty of the young 
lady; and from her to Benjamin, who with his feet stand- 
ing wide apart, and his arms akimbo, was balancing his 
square little body, with the indifference of one who is 
accustomed to wounds and bloodshed. All of these seemed 
to be unhurt, and the operator began to breathe more freely ; 
but before he had time to take a second look, the Judge, 
advancing, shook him kindly by the hand, and spoke. 

“Thou art welcome, my good sir, quite welcome, indeed; 
here is a youth whom I have unfortunately wounded in 
shooting a deer this evening, and who requires some of thy 
assistance.” 

“Shooting at a deer, ’duke,” interrupted Eichard, — 
“shooting at a deer. Who do you think can prescribe, 
unless he knows the truth of the case? It is always so with 
some people; they think a doctor can be deceived with the 
same impunity as another man.” 

“Shooting at a deer, truly,” returned the Judge, smiling, 
“ although it is by no means certain that I did not aid in 
destroying the buck ; but the youth is injured by my hand, 
be that as it may ; and it is thy skill that must cure him, 
and my pocket shall amply reward thee for it.” 

“Two ver good tings to depend on,” observed Monsieur 
Le Quoi, bowing politely, with a sweep of his head, to the 
Judge and the practitioner. 

“I thank you, Monsieur,” returned the Judge: “but we 
keep the young man in pain. Eemarkable, thou wilt 
please to provide linen for lint and bandages.” 


THE PIONEERS. 


69 


This remark caused a cessation of the compliments, and 
induced the physician to turn an inquiring eye in the 
direction of his patient. During the dialogue the young 
hunter had thrown aside his overcoat, and now stood clad 
in a plain suit of the common, light-colored homespun of 
the country, that was evidently but recently made. His 
hand was on the lapels of his coat, in the attitude of remov- 
ing the garment, when he suddenly suspended the move- 
ment, and looked towards the commiserating Elizabeth, 
who was standing in an unchanged posture, too much 
absorbed with her anxious feelings to heed his actions. 
A slight color appeared on the brow of the youth. 

^‘Possibly the sight of blood may alarm the lady; I will 
retire to another room while the wound is dressing.’’ 

“By no means,” said Dr. Todd, who, having discovered 
that his patient was far from being a man of importance, 
felt much emboldened to perform the duty. “ The strong 
light of these candles is favorable to the operation, and it 
is seldom that we hard students enjoy good eye-sight.” 

While speaking, Elnathan placed a pair of large iron- 
rimmed spectacles on his face, where they dropped as it 
were by long practice, to the extremity of his slim pug 
nose; and if they were of no service as assistants to his 
eyes, neither were they any impediment to his vision ; for 
his little grey organs were twinkling above them, like two 
stars emerging from the envious cover of a cloud. The 
action was unheeded by all but Eemarkable, who observed 
to Benjamin — 

“ Dr. Todd is a comely man to look on, and dispu’t pretty. 
How well he seems in spectacles ! 1 declare, they give a 

grand look to a body’s face. I have quite a great mind to 
try them myself.” 

The speech of the stranger recalled the recollection of 
Miss Temple, who started, as if from deep abstraction, and 
coloring excessively, she motioned to a young woman who 
served in the capacity of maid, and retired with an air of 
womanly reserve. 

The field was now left to the physician and his patient, 
while the different personages who remained gathered 


70 THE PIONEERS. 

around the latter, with faces expressing the various de- 
grees of interest that each one felt in his condition. Major 
Hartmann alone retained his seat, where he continued to 
throw out vast quantities of smoke, now rolling his eyes up 
to the ceiling, as if musing on the uncertainty of life, and 
now bending them on the wounded man, with an expression 
that bespoke some consciousness of his situation. 

In the meantime Elnathan, to whom the sight of a gun- 
shot wound was a perfect novelty, commenced his prepa- 
rations with a solemnity and care that were worthy of the 
occasion. An old shirt was procured by Benjamin, and 
placed in the hands of the other, who tore diverse bandages 
from it, with an exactitude that marked both his own skill 
and the importance of the operation. 

When this preparatory measure was taken. Dr. Todd 
selected a piece of the shirt with great care, and handing 
it to Mr. Jones, without moving a muscle, said — ■ 

“Here, Squire Jones, you are well acquainted with these 
things ; will you please to scrape the lint? It should be fine 
and soft, you know, my dear sir ; and be cautious that no cot- 
ton gets in, or it may phson the wound. The shirt has been 
made with cotton thread, but you can easily pick it out.” 

Kichard assumed the office, with a nod at his cousin, that 
said quite plainly — “You see this fellow can’t get along 
without me”; and began to scrape the linen on his knee 
with great diligence. 

A table was now spread with phials, boxes of salve, and 
diverse surgical instruments. As the latter appeared in 
succession, from a case of red morocco, their owner held up 
each implement to the strong light of the chandelier, near 
to which he stood, and examined it with the nicest care. 
A red silk handkerchief was frequently applied to the glit- 
tering steel, as if to remove from the polished surfaces the 
least impediment which might exist, to the most delicate 
operation. After the rather scantily furnished pocket-case 
which contained these instruments was exhausted, the phy- 
sician turned to his saddle-bags, and produced various phi- 
als, filled with liquids of the most radiant colors. These 
were arranged in due order, by the side of the murderous 


THE PIONEERS. 


71 


saws, knives, and scissors, when Elnathan stretched his 
long body to its utmost elevation, placing his hand on the 
small of his back, as if for support, and looked about him 
to discover what effect this display of professional skill was 
likely to produce on the spectators. 

“Upon my wort, toctor,’’ observed Major Hartmann, 
with a roguish roll of his little black eyes, but with every 
other feature of his face in a state of perfect rest, “put you 
have a very pretty pocket-pook of tools tere, and your toc- 
tor-stuff glitters as if it was petter for ter eyes as for ter 
pelly.’’ 

Elnathan gave a hem — one that might have been equally 
taken for that kind of noise which cowards are said to make, 
in order to awaken their dormant courage, or for a natural 
effort to clear the throat ; if for the latter, it was successful ; 
for turning his face to the veteran German, he said — 

“Very true. Major Hartmann, very true, sir; a prudent 
man will always strive to make his remedies agreeable to 
the eyes, though they may not altogether suit the stomach. 
It is no small part of our art, sir,” and he now spoke with 
the confidence of a man who understood his subject, “to 
reconcile the patient to what is for his own good, though at 
the same time it may be unpalatable.” 

“Sartain! Dr. Todd is right,” said Remarkable, “and has 
Scripter for what he says. The Bible tells us how things 
may be sweet to the mouth, and bitter to the inwards.” 

“True, true,” interrupted the Judge, a little impatiently; 
“ but here is a youth who needs no deception to lure him to 
his own benefit. I see, by his eye, that he fears nothing 
more than delay.” 

The stranger had, without assistance, bared his own 
shoulder, when the slight perforation produced by the 
passage of the buck-shot was plainly visible. The intense 
cold of the evening had stopped the bleeding, and Dr. Todd, 
casting a furtive glance at the wound, thought it by no 
means so formidable an affair as he had anticipated. Thus 
encouraged he approached his patient, and made some indi- 
cation of an intention to trace the route that had been taken 
by the lead. 


n 


THE PIONEERS. 


Remarkable often found occasions, in after days, to 
recount the minutiae of that celebrated operation; and when 
she arrived at this point ^e commonly proceeded as fol- 
lows : — ‘‘ And then the Do’ctor tuck out of the pocket-book 
a long thing, like a knitting-needle, with a button fastened 
to the end on’t; and then he pushed it into the wound; and 
then the young man looked awful; aud then I thought I 
should have swaned away — I felt in sitch a dispu’t taking; 
and then the doctor had run it right through his shoulder, 
and shoved the bullet out on t’other side; and so Dr. Todd 
cured the young man — of a ball that the J udge had shot 
into him, for all the world, as easy as I could pick out a 
splinter with my darning-needle.” 

Such were the impressions of Remarkable on the subject; 
and such doubtless were the opinions of most of those who 
felt it necessary to entertain a species of religious veneration 
for the skill of Elnathan; but such was far from the truth. 

When the physician attempted to introduce the instru- 
ment described by Remarkable, he was repulsed by the 
stranger, with a good deal of decision, and some little con- 
tempt, in his manner. 

“I believe, sir,” he said, “that a probe is not necessary; 
the shot has missed the bone, and has passed directly 
through the arm to the opposite side, where it remains but 
skin-deep, and whence, I should think, it might be easily 
extracted.” 

“The gentleman knows best,” said Dr. Todd, laying down 
the probe with the air of a man who had assumed it merely 
in compliance with forms ; and turning to Richard, he fin- 
gered the lint with the appearance of great care and fore- 
sight. “ Admirably well scraped. Squire Jones! it is about 
the best lint I have ever seen. I want your assistance, 
my good sir, to hold the patient’s arm while I make an 
incision for the ball. Now, I rather guess there is not 
another gentleman present who could scrape the lint so 
well as Squire Jones.” 

“Such things run in families,” observed Richard, rising 
with alacrity to render the desired assistance. “ My father, 
and my grandfather before him, were both celebrated for 


THE PIONEERS. 


73 


their knowledge of surgery; they were not, like Marma- 
dnke, here, puffed up with an accidental thing, such as the 
time when he drew in the hip-joint of the man who was 
thrown from his horse : that was the fall before you came 
into the settlement. Doctor; but they were men who were 
taught the thing regularly, spending half their lives in 
learning those little niceties; though for the matter of 
that, my grandfather was a college-bred physician, and the 
best in the colony, too — that is, in his neighborhood.” 

“So it goes with the world, Squire,” cried Benjamin, 
“ if so be that a man wants to walk the quarter-d-eck with 
credit, d^ye see, and with regular-built swabs on his shoul- 
ders, he mustn’t think to do it by getting in at the cabin- 
windows. There are two ways to get into a top, besides 
the lubber-holes. The true way to walk aft is to begin 
forrard; tho’f it be only in a humble way, like myself, 
d’ye see, which was, from being only a hander of top- 
gallant-sails, and a stower of the flying-jib, to keeping the 
key of the Captain’s locker.” 

“Benjamin speaks quite to the purpose,” continued 
Richard. “ I dare say that he has often seen shot extracted, 
in the different ships in which he has served; suppose we get 
him to hold the basin ; he must be used to the sight of blood.” 

“That he is. Squire, that he is,” interrupted the ci-devant 
steward; “many’s the good shot, round, double-headed, 
and grape, that I’ve seen the doctors at work on. For the 
matter of that, I was in a boat, alongside the ship, when 
they cut out the twelve-pound shot from the thigh of the 
Captain of the Foodyrong, one of Mounsheer Ler Quaw’s 
countrymen ! ” ^ 

“ A twelve-pound ball from the thigh of a human being? ” 
exclaimed Mr. Grant, with great simplicity, dropping the 
sermon he was again reading, and raising his spectacles to 
the top of his forehead. 

“ A twelve-pounder ! ” echoed Benjamin, staring around 
him with much confidence ; “ a twelve-pounder ! ay ! a 

1 It is possible that the reader may start at this declaration of Benja- 
min, but those who have lived in the new settlements of America, are too 
much accustomed to hear of these European exploits, to doubt it. 


74 


THE PIONEERS. 


twenty-four-pound shot can easily be taken from a man’s 
body, if so be a doctor only knows how. There’s Squire 
Jones, now, ask him, sir; he reads all the books; ask him 
if he never fell in with a page that keeps the reckoning of 
such things.” 

^‘Certainly, more important operations than that have 
been performed,” observed Richard; ‘‘the Encyclopaedia 
mentions much more incredible circumstances than that, 
as, I dare say, you know. Dr. Todd.” 

“Certainly, there are incredible tales told in the Encyclo- 
paedias,” returned Elnathan, “though I cannot say that I 
have ever seen, myself, anything larger than a musket- 
bullet extracted.” 

During this discourse an incision had been made through 
the skin of the 'young hunter’s shoulder, and the lead was 
laid bare. Elnathan took a pair of glittering forceps, and 
was in the act of applying them to the wound, when a sud- 
den motion of the patient caused the shot to fall out of 
itself. The long arm and broad hand of the operator were 
now of singular service ; for the latter expanded itself, and 
caught the lead, while at the same time an extremely 
ambiguous motion was made by its brother, so as to leave 
it doubtful to the spectators how great was its agency in 
releasing the shot. Richard, however, put the matter at 
rest by exclaiming — 

“Very neatly done. Doctor! I have never seen a shot 
more neatly extracted; and, I dare say, Benjamin will say 
the same.” 

“Why, considering,” returned Benjamin, “I must say, 
that it was ship-shape, and Brister-fashion. — Now all that 
the Doctor has to do, is to clap a couple of plugs in the 
holes, and the lad will float in any gale that blows in these 
here hills.” 

“I thank you, sir, for what you have done,” said the 
youth, with a little distance; “but here is a man who will 
take me under his care, and spare you all, gentlemen, any 
further trouble on my account.” 

The whole group turned their heads in surprise, and 
beheld, standing at one of the distant doors of the hall, 
the person of Indian John. 




















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CHAPTER VII. 


From Susquehanna’s utmost springs, 

Where savage tribes pursue their game, 

His blanket tied with yellow strings, 

The shepherd of the forest came. 

Freneau. 

Before the Europeans, or, to use a more significant term, 
the Christians, dispossessed the original owners of the soil, 
all that section of country which contains the New England 
States, and those of the Middle which lie east of the 
mountains, was occupied by two great nations of Indians, 
from whom had descended numberless tribes. But, as the 
original distinctions between these nations were marked by 
a difference in language, as well as by repeated and bloody 
wars, they never were known to amalgamate, until after the 
power and inroads of the whites had reduced some of the 
tribes to a state of dependence that rendered not only their 
political, but, considering the wants and habits of a savage, 
their animal existence also, extremely precarious. 

These two great divisions consisted, on the one side, of 
the Five, or as they were afterwards called, the Six Nations, 
and their allies ; and, on the other, of the Lenni Lenape, 
or Delawares, with the numerous and powerful tribes that 
owned that nation as their Grandfather. The former were 
generally called, by the Anglo-Americans, Iroquois, or the 
Six Nations, and sometimes Mingos. Their appellation, 
among their rivals, seems generally to have been the 
Mengwe, or Maqua. They consisted of the tribes, or, as 
their allies were fond of asserting, in order to raise their 
consequence, of the several nations of the Mohawks, the 
Oneidas, the Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas; who 
ranked, in the confederation, in the order in which they 

75 


76 


THE PIONEERS. 


are named. The Tuscaroras were admitted to this union, 
near a century after its formation, and thus completed the 
number to six. 

Of the Lenni Lenape, or as they were called by the 
whites, from the circumstance of their holding their great 
council-fire on the banks of that river, the Delaware nation, 
the principal tribes, besides that which bore the generic 
name, were, the Mahicanni, Mohicans, or Mohegans, and 
the Nanticokes, or Nentigoes. Of these, the latter held 
the country along the waters of the Chesapeake and the 
sea-shore; while the Mohegans occupied the district be- 
tween the Hudson and the ocean, including much of New 
England. Of course, these two tribes were the first who 
were dispossessed- of their lands by the Europeans. 

The wars of a portion of the latter are celebrated among 
us, as the wars of King Philip ; but the peaceful policy of 
William Penn, or Miquon, as he was termed by the natives, 
effected its object with less difficulty, though not with less 
certainty. As the natives gradually disappeared from the 
country of the Mohegans, some scattering families sought 
a refuge around the council-fire of the mother tribe, or the 
Delawares. 

This people had been induced to suffer themselves to be 
called women, by their old enemies, the Mingos, or Iro- 
quois, after the latter, having in vain tried the effects of 
hostility, had recourse to artifice, in order to prevail over 
their rivals. According to this declaration, the Delawares 
were to cultivate the arts of peace, and to intrust their 
defence entirely to the men, or warlike tribes of the Six 
Nations. 

This state of things continued until the war of the revo- 
lution, when the Lenni Lenape formally asserted their 
independence, and fearlessly declared that they were again 
men. But in a government so peculiarly republican as the 
Indian polity, it was not at all times an easy task to restrain 
its members within the rules of the nation. Several fierce 
and renowned warriors of the Mohegans, finding the con- 
flict with the whites to be in vain, sought a refuge with 
their Grandfather, and brought with them the feelings and 


THE PIONEERS. 


77 


principles that had so long distinguished them in their own 
tribe. These chieftains kept alive, in some measure^, the 
martial .spirit of the Delawares; and would, at times, lead 
small parties against their ancient enemies, or such other 
foes as incurred their resentment. 

Among these warriors was one race particularly famous 
for their prowess, and for those qualities that render an 
Indian hero celebrated. But war, time, disease, and want 
had conspired to thin their number; and the sole repre- 
sentative of this once renowned family now stood in the 
hall of Marmaduke Temple. He had for a long time been 
an associate of the white men, particularly in their wars; 
and having been, at a season when his services were of 
importance, much noticed and flattered, he had turned 
Christian, and was baptized by the name of John. He 
had suffered severely in^ his family during the recent war, 
having had every soul to whom he was allied cut off by an 
inroad of the enemy ; and when the last, lingering remnant 
of his nation extinguished their fires, among the hills of 
the Delaware, he alone had remained, with a determination 
of laying his bones in that country, where his fathers had 
so long lived and governed. 

It was only, however, within a few months, that he had 
appeared among the mountains that surrounded Templeton. 
To the hut of the old hunter he seemed peculiarly welcome; 
and, as the habits of the Leather-stocking ” were so nearly 
assimilated to those of the savages, the conjunction of their 
interests excited no surprise. They resided in the same 
cabin, ate of the same food, and were chiefly occupied in 
the same pursuits. 

We have already mentioned the baptismal name of this 
ancient chief; but in his conversation with Natty, held in 
the language of the Delawares, he was heard uniformly to 
call himself Chingachgook, which, interpreted, means the 
Great Snake.’’ This name he kad acquired in youth, by 
his skill and prowess in war; but when his brows began 
to wrinkle with time, and he stood alone, the last of his 
family, and his particular tribe, the few Delawares who 
yet continued about the head-waters of their river gave 


78 


THE PIONEERS. 


him the mournful appellation of Mohegan. Perhaps there 
was something of deep feeling excited in the bosom of this 
inhabitant of the forest by the sound of a name that recalled 
the idea of his nation in ruins, for he seldom used it him- 
self— never indeed, excepting on the most solemn occa- 
sions ; but the settlers had united, according to the Christian 
custom, his baptismal with his national name, and to them he 
was generally known as John Mohegan, or, more familiarly, 
as Indian John. 

From his long association with the white men, the habits 
of Mohegan were a mixture of the civilized and savage 
states, though there was certainly a strong preponderance 
in favor of the latter. In common with all his people, who 
dwelt within the influence of the Anglo-Americans, he had 
acquired new wants, and his dress was a mixture of his 
native and European fashions, l^ot withstanding the in- 
tense cold without, his head was uncovered; but a profu- 
sion of long, black, coarse hair concealed his forehead, his 
crown, and even hung about his cheeks, so as to convey 
the idea, to one who knew his present and former condi- 
tions, that he encouraged its abundance, as a willing veil, 
to hide the shame of a noble soul, mourning for glory once 
known. His forehead, when it could be seen, appeared 
lofty, broad, and noble. His nose was high, and of the 
kind called Pom an, with nostrils that expanded, in his 
seventieth year, with the freedom that had distinguished 
them in youth. His mouth was large, but compressed, 
and possessing a great share of expression and character; 
and, when opened, it discovered a perfect set of short, 
strong, and regular teeth. His chin was full, though not 
prominent; and his face bore the infallible mark of his 
people, in its square, high cheek-bones. The eyes were 
not large, but their black orbs glittered in the rays of the 
candles, as he gazed intently down the hall, like two balls 
of fire. 

The instant that Mohegan observed himself to be noticed 
by the group around the young stranger, he dropped the 
blanket, which covered the upper part of his frame, from 
his shoulders, suffering it to fall over his leggins of un- 


THE PIONEERS. 


79 


tanned deerskin, where it was retained by a belt of bark 
that confined it to his waist. 

As he walked slowly down the long hall, the dignified 
and deliberate tread of the Indian surprised the spectators. 
His shoulders, and body to his waist, were entirely bare, 
with the exception of a silver medallion of Washington, 
that was suspended from his neck by a thong of buckskin, 
and rested on his high chest, amidst many scars. His 
shoulders were rather broad and full ; but the arms, though 
straight and graceful, wanted the muscular appearance that 
labor gives to a race of men. The medallion was the only 
ornament he wore, although enormous slits in the rim of 
either ear, which suffered the cartilages to fall two inches 
below the members, had evidently been used for the pur- 
poses of decoration in other days. In his hand he held a 
small basket of the ash-wood slips, colored in divers fan- 
tastical conceits, with red and black paints mingled with 
the white of the wood. 

As this child of the forest approached them, the whole 
party stood aside, and allowed him to confront the object 
of his visit. He did not speak, however, but stood fixing 
his glowing eyes on the shoulder of the young hunter, and 
then turning them intently on the countenance of the Judge. 
The latter was a good deal astonished at this unusual de- 
parture from the ordinarily subdued and quiet manner of 
the Indian ; but he extended his hand, and said — 

‘‘ Thou art welcome, John. This youth entertains a high 
opinion of thy skill, it seems, for he prefers thee to dress 
his wound even to our good friend. Dr. Todd.” 

Mohegan now spoke, in tolerable English, but in a low, 
monotonous, guttural tone — 

^‘The children of Miquon do not love the sight of blood; 
and yet the Young Eagle has been struck by the hand that 
should do no evil ! ” 

“Mohegan! old John!/’ exclaimed the Judge, “thinkest 
thou that my hand has ever drawn human blood willingly? 
Eor shame! for shame, old John! thy religion should have 
taught thee better.” 

“The evil spirit sometinies lives in the best heart,” 


80 


THE PIONEERS. 


returned John, “but my brother speaks the truth; his hand 
has never taken life, when awake; no! not even when the 
children of the great English Father were making the 
waters red with the blood of his people.” 

“Surely, John,” said Mr. Grant, with much earnestness, 
“you remember the divine command of our Saviour, ‘Judge 
not, lest ye be judged.’ What motive could Judge Temple 
have for injuring a youth like this; one to whom he is 
unknown, and from whom he can receive neither injury 
nor favor ! ” 

John listened respectfully to the divine, and when he 
had concluded, he stretched out his arm, and said with 
energy — 

“ He is innocent — my brother has not done this.” 

Marmaduke received the offered hand of the other with 
a smile, that showed, however he might be astonished at 
his suspicion, he had ceased to resent it; while the wounded 
youth stood, gazing from his red friend to his host, with 
interest powerfully delineated in his countenance. No 
sooner was this act of pacification exchanged, than John 
proceeded to discharge the duty on which he had come. 
Dr. Todd was far from manifesting any displeasure at this 
invasion of his rights, but made way for the new leech, 
with an air that expressed a willingness to gratify the 
humors of his patient, now that the all-important part of 
the business was so successfully performed, and nothing 
remained to be done but what any child might effect. 
Indeed, he whispered as much to Monsieur Le Quoi, when 
he said — 

“ It was fortunate that the ball was extracted before this 
Indian came in; but any old woman can dress the wound. 
The young man, I hear, lives with John and Natty Bumppo, 
and it’s always best to humor a patient, when it can be 
done discreetly — I say, discreetly. Monsieur.” 

“Certainement,” returned the Frenchman; “you seem 
ver happy. Mister Todd, in your pratique. I tink the elder 
lady might ver well finish vat you so skeelfully begin.” 

But Bichard had, at the bottom, a great deal of venera- 
tion for the knowledge of Mohegan, especially in external 


THE PIONEERS. 


81 


wounds; and retaining all his desire for a participation in 
glory, he advanced nigh the Indian, and said — 

“ Sago, sago, Mohegan! sago, my good fellow! I am glad 
you have come; give me a regular physician, like Dr. Todd, 
to cut into flesh, and a native to heal the wound. Do you 
remember, John, the time when I and you set the bone of 
Natty Bumppo’s little finger, after he broke it by falling 
from the rock, when he was trying to get the partridge that 
fell on the cliffs. I never could tell yet, whether it was 
I or Natty who killed that bird: he fired first, and the bird 
stooped, and then it was rising again as I pulled trigger. 
I should have claimed it, for a certainty, but Natty said 
the hole was too big for shot, and he fired a single ball 
from his rifle; but the piece I carried then didn’t scatter, 
and I have known it to bore a hole through a board, when 
I’ve been shooting at a mark, very much like rifle-bullets. 
Shall I help you, John? You know I have a knack at 
these things.” 

Mohegan heard this disquisition quite patiently, and 
when Bichard concluded, he held out the basket which 
contained his specifics, indicating, by a gesture, that he 
might hold it. Mr. Jones was quite satisfied with this 
commission ; and, ever after, in speaking of the event, was 
used to say, that ‘‘Dr. Todd and I cut out the bullet, and 
I and Indian John dressed the wound.” 

The patient was much more deserving of that epithet, 
while under the hands of Mohegan, than while suffering 
under the practice of the physician. Indeed, the Indian 
gave him but little opportunity for the exercise of a for- 
bearing temper, as he had come prepared for the occasion. 
His dressings were soon applied, and consisted only of 
some pounded bark, moistened with a fluid that he had 
expressed from some of the simples of the woods. 

Among the native tribes of the forest, there were always 
two kinds of leeches to be met with. The one placed its 
whole dependence on the exercise of a supernatural power, 
and was held in greater veneration than their practice could 
at all justify ; but the other was really endowed with great 
skill in the ordinary complaints of the human body, and 

G 


82 


THE PIONEERS. 


was more particularly, as Natty liad intimated, ‘‘curous 
in cuts and bruises.” 

While John and Eichard were placing the dressings on 
the wound, Elnathan was acutely eying the contents of 
Mohegan’s basket, which Mr. Jones, in his physical ardor, 
had transferred to the Doctor, in order to hold, himself, 
one end of the bandages. Here he was soon enabled to 
detect sundry fragments of wood and bark, of which he, 
quite coolly, took possession, very possibly without any in- 
tention of speaking at all upon the subject; but when he 
beheld the full blue eye of Marmaduke watching his move- 
ments, he whispered to the Judge — 

“It is not to be denied. Judge Temple, but what the 
savages are knowing in small matters of physic. They 
hand these things down in their traditions. Now in can- 
cers and hydrophoby, they are quite ingenious. I will just 
take this bark home and analyze it; for, though it canT be 
worth sixpence to the young man’s shoulder, it may be 
good for the toothache, or rheumatism, or some of them 
complaints. A man should never be above learning, even 
if it be from an Indian.” 

It was fortunate for Dr. Todd that his principles were so 
liberal, as, coupled with his practice, they were the means 
by which he acquired all his knowledge, and by which he 
was gradually qualifying himself for the duties of his pro- 
fession. The process to which he subjected the specific, 
differed, however, greatly from the ordinary rules of chem- 
istry ; for, instead of separating, he afterwards united the 
component parts of Mohegan’s remedy, and thus was able 
to discover the tree whence the Indian had taken it. 

Some ten years after this event, when civilization and its 
refinements had crept, or rather rushed, into the settlements 
among these wild hills, an affair of honor occurred, and 
Elnathan was seen to apply a salve to the wound received 
by one of the parties, which had the flavor that was peculiar 
to the tree, or root, that Mohegan had used. Ten years 
later still, when England and the United States were again 
engaged in war, and the hordes of the western parts of the 
state of New York were rushing to the field, Elnathan, pre- 


THE PIONEERS. 


83 


suming on the reputation obtained by these two operations, 
followed in the rear of a brigade of militia as its surgeon. 

When Mohegan had applied the bark, he freely relin- 
quished to Eichard the needle and thread that were used 
in sewing the bandages, for these were implements of which 
the native but little understood the use ; and, stepping back, 
with decent gravity, awaited the completion of the business 
by the other. 

‘‘Eeach me the scissors,” said Mr. Jones, when he had 
finished, and finished for the second time, after tying the 
linen in every shape and form that it could be placed; 
“ reach me the scissors, for here is a thread that must be 
cut off, or it might get under the dressings, and inflame the 
wound. See, John, I have put the lint I scraped between 
two layers of the linen; for though the bark is certainly 
best for the flesh, yet the lint will serve to keep the cold 
air from the wound. If any lint will do it good, it is this 
lint; I scraped it myself, and I will not turn my back at 
scraping lint to any man on the Patent. I ought to know 
how, if anybody ought, for my grandfather was a doctor, 
and my father had a natural turn that way.” 

‘‘Here, Squire, is the scissors,” said Eemarkable, pro- 
ducing from beneath her petticoat of green moreen a pair 
of dull-looking shears; “well, upon my say-so, you have 
sewed on the rags as well as a woman.” 

“ As well as a woman ! ” echoed Eichard, with indigna- 
tion; “what do women know of such matters? and you are 
proof of the truth of what I say. Who ever saw such a 
pair of shears used about a wound? Dr. Todd, I will thank 
you for the scissors from the case. Now, young man, I 
think youTl do. The shot has been very neatly taken out, 
although perhaps seeing I had a hand in it, I ought not to 
say so; and the wound is admirably dressed. You will 
soon be well again; though the jerk you gave my leaders 
must have a tendency to inflame the shoulder, yet you will 
do, you will do. You were rather flurried, I suppose, and 
not used to horses; but I forgive the accident for the 
motive: — no doubt you had the best of motives; —yes, 
now you will do.” 


84 


THE PIONEERS. 


''Then, gentlemen,” said the wounded stranger, rising, 
and resuming his clothes, " it will be unnecessary for me 
to trespass longer on your time and patience. There 
remains but one thing more to be settled, and that is, our 
respective rights to the deer. Judge Temple.” 

"I acknowledge it to be thine,” said Marmaduke; "and 
much more deeply am I indebted to thee than for this piece 
of venison. But in the morning thou wilt call here, and 
we can adjust this, as well as more important matters. 
Elizabeth,” — for the young lady, being apprised that the 
wound was dressed, had re-entered the hall, — "thou wilt 
order a repast for this youth before we proceed to the 
church; and Aggy will have a sleigh prepared, to convey 
him to his friend.” 

"But, sir, I cannot go without a part of the deer,” 
returned the youth, seemingly struggling with his own 
feelings; "I have already told you that I needed the 
venison for myself.” 

"Oh! we will not be particular,” exclaimed Eichard; 
"the Judge will pay you in the morning for the whole 
deer; and Eemarkable, give the lad all the animal except- . 
ing the saddle; so, on the whole, I think you may consider 
yourself as a very lucky young man; — ^you have been shot 
without being disabled; have had the wound dressed in the 
best possible manner here in the woods, as well as it would 
have been done in the Philadelphia hospital, if not better; 
have sold your deer at a high price, and yet can keep most 
of the carcase, with the skin in the bargain. ’Marky, tell 
Tom to give him the skin, too, and in the morning bring the 
skin to me, and I will give you half a dollar .for it, or at 
least three and sixpence. I want just such a skin to cover 
the pillion that I am making for cousin Bess.” 

"I thank you, sir, for your liberality, and, I trust, am 
also thankful for my escape,” returned the stranger; "but 
you reserve the very part of the animal that I wished for 
my own use. I must have the saddle myself.” 

" Must ! ” echoed Eichard ; " must is harder to be swal- 
lowed than the horns of the buck.” 

"Yes, must,” repeated the youth: when, turning his 


THE PIONEERS. 


85 


head proudly around him^ as if to see who would dare to 
controvert his rights, he met the astonished gaze of Eliza- 
beth, and proceeded more mildly — ‘Hhat is, if a man is 
allowed the possession of that which his hand hath killed, 
and the law will protect him in the enjoyment of his own.” 

“The law will do so,” said Judge Temple, with an air of 
mortification mingled with surprise. “Benjamin, see that 
the whole deer is placed in the sleigh; and have this youth 
conveyed to the hut of Leather-stocking. But, young man, 
thou hast a name, and I shall see you again, in order to 
compensate thee for the wrong I have done thee?” 

“I am called Edwards,” returned the hunter; “Oliver 
Edwards. I am easily to he seen, sir, for I live nigh by, 
and am not afraid to show my face, having never injured 
any man.” 

“It is we who have injured you, sir,” said Elizabeth; 
“and the knowledge that you decline our assistance would 
give my father great pain. He would gladly see you in 
the morning.” 

The young hunter gazed at the fair speaker until his 
earnest look brought the blood to her temples; when, 
recollecting himself, he bent his head, dropping his eyes 
to the carpet, and replied — 

“In the morning, then, will I return, and see Judge 
Temple ; and I will accept his offer of the sleigh, in token 
of amity.” 

“ Amity ! ” repeated Marmaduke ; “ there was no malice 
in the act that injured thee, young man ; there should be 
none in the feelings which it may engender.” 

“ ^Forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass 
against us, ’ ” observed Mr. Grant, “ is the language used by 
our Divine Master, Himself, and it should be the golden rule 
of us. His humble followers.” 

The stranger stood a moment, lost in thought, and then 
glancing his dark eyes rather wildly around the hall, he 
bowed low to the divine, and moved from the apartment, 
with an air that would not admit of detention. 

“ ^Tis strange that one so young should harbor such feel- 
ings of resentment,” said Marmaduke, when the door closed 


86 


THE PIONEERS. 


behind the stranger; ^‘but while the pain is recent, and the 
sense of the injury so fresh, he must feel more strongly than 
in cooler moments. I doubt not we shall see him in the 
morning more tractable.’’ 

Elizabeth, to whom this speech was addressed, did not 
reply, but moved slowly up the hall, by herself, fixing her 
eyes on the little figure of the English ingrained carpet that 
covered the floor; while, on the other hand, Eichard gave 
a loud crack with his whip, as the stranger disappeared, 
and cried — 

‘‘ Well, ’duke, you are your own master, but I would have 
tried law for the saddle, before I would have given it to the 
fellow. Do you not own the mountains as well as the val- 
leys? are not the woods your own? what right has this 
chap, or the Leather-stocking, to shoot in your woods, 
without your permission? Now, I have known a farmer 
in Pennsylvania order a sportsman off his farm with as 
little ceremony as I would order Benjamin to put a log in 
the stove. By the by, Benjamin, see how the thermometer 
stands. Now, if a man has a right to do this on a farm of 
a hundred acres, what power must a landlord have who 
owns sixty thousand — aye, for the matter of that, includ- 
ing the late purchases, a hundred thousand? There is 
Mohegan, to be sure, he may have some right, being a 
native; but it’s little the poor fellow can do now with his 
rifle. How is this managed in Erance, Monsieur Le Quoi? 
Do you let everybody run over your land in that country, ‘ 
helter-skelter, as they do here, shooting the game, so that 
a gentleman has but little or no chance with his gun?” 

‘‘Bah! diable, no, Meester Deeck,” replied the French- 
man ; “we give, in France, no liberty, except to the ladi.” 

“Yes, yes, to the women, I know,” said Eichard, “that 
is your Salick law. I read, sir, all kinds of books; of 
France, as well as England; of Gfreece, as well as Eome. 
But if I were in ’duke’s place, I would stick up advertise- 
ments to-morrow morning, forbidding all persons to shoot, 
or trespass in any manner, on my woods. I could write 
such an advertisement myself, in an hour, as would put a 
stop to the thing at once,” 


THE PIONEER?. 


87 


“ Bichart/’ said Major Hartmann, very coolly knocking 
the ashes from his pipe into the spitting-box by his side, 
“ now when ; I have livet seventy-five years on ter Mohawk, 
and in ter woots. — You hat petter mettle as mit ter deyvel, 
as mit ter hunters. Tey live mit ter gun, and a rifle is 
petter as ter law.’’ 

“A’nt Marmaduke a judge?” said Eichard, indignantly. 
“ Where is the use of being a judge, or having a judge, if 
there is no law? Damn the fellow! I have a great mind 
to sue him in the morning myself, before Squire Doolittle, 
for meddling with my leaders. I am not afraid of his rifle. 
I can shoot too. I have hit a dollar many a time at fifty 
rods.” 

“ Thou hast missed more dollars than ever thou hast hit, 
Dickon,” exclaimed the cheerful voice of the Judge. — 
‘‘But we will now take our evening’s repast, which, I per- 
ceive by Eemarkable’s physiognomy, is ready. Monsieur 
Le Quoi, Miss Temple has a hand at your service. Will 
you lead the way, my child? ” 

“Ah! ma chere Mam’selle, comme je suis enchante!” 
said the Frenchman. “II ne manque que les dames de 
faire un paradis de Templeton.” 

Mr. Grant and Mohegan continued in the hall, while the 
remainder of the party withdrew to an eating parlor, if we 
except Benjamin, who civilly remained, to close the rear 
after the clergyman, and to open the front door for the exit 
of the Indian. 

“John,” said the divine, when the figure of Judge Temple 
disappeared, the last of the group, “to-morrow is the fes- 
tival of the nativity of our blessed Eedeemer, when the 
church has appointed prayers and thanksgivings to be 
offered up by her children, and when all are invited to 
partake of the mystical elements. As you have taken up 
the cross, and become a follower of good and an eschewer 
of evil, I trust I shall see you before the altar, with a 
contrite heart and a meek spirit.” 

“John will come,” said the Indian, betraying no sur- 
prise ; though he did not understand all the terms used by 
the other. 


88 


THE PIONEERS. 


‘‘Yes,” continued Mr. Grant, laying his hand gently on 
the tawny shoulder of the aged chief, “but it is not enough 
to be there in the body; you must come in the spirit and 
in truth. The Eedeemer died for all, for the poor Indian 
as well as for the white man. Heaven knows no difference 
in color; nor must earth witness a separation of the church. 
It is good and profitable, John, to freshen the understand- 
ing, and support the wavering, by the observance of our 
holy festivals ; but all form is but stench in the nostrils of 
the Holy One, unless it be accompanied by a devout and 
humble spirit.” 

The Indian stepped back a little, and, raising his body 
to its utmost powers of erection, he stretched his right arm 
on high, and dropped his fore-finger downward, as if point- 
ing from the heavens, then striking his other hand on his 
naked breast, he said, with energy — 

“ The eye of the Great Spirit can see from the clouds ; — 
the bosom of Mohegan is bare ! ” 

“It is well, John, and I hope you will receive profit and 
consolation from the performance of this duty. The Great 
Spirit overlooks none of his children; and the man of the 
woods is as much an object of his care as he who dwells in 
a palace. I wish you a good night, and pray God to bless 
you.” 

The Indian bent his head, and they separated — the one 
to seek his hut, and the other to join the party at the 
supper -table. While Benjamin was opening the door for 
the passage of the chief, he cried, in a tone that was meant 
to be encouraging — 

“The parson says the word that is true, John. If so be 
that they took count of the color of the skin in heaven, 
why they might refuse to muster on their books a Christian- 
born, like myself, just for the matter of a little tan, from 
cruising in warm latitudes ; though, for the matter of that, 
this damned nor’ wester is enough to whiten the skin of a 
blackamore. Let the reef out of your blanket, man, or 
your red hide will hardly weather the night without a 
touch from the frost.” 


CHAPTEE VIII. 


For here the exile met from every clime, 

And spoke, in friendship, every distant tongue. 

Campbell. 

We have made our readers acquainted with some variety 
in character and nations, in introducing the most important 
personages of this legend to their notice : but, in order to 
establish the fidelity of our narrative, we shall briefly 
attempt to explain the reason why we have been obliged 
to present so motley a dramatis personae. 

Europe, at the period of our tale, was in the commence- 
ment of that commotion which afterwards shook her political 
institutions to the centre. Louis the Sixteenth had been 
beheaded, and a nation once esteemed the most refined 
among the civilized people of the world, was changing its 
character, and substituting cruelty for mercy, and subtlety 
and ferocity for magnanimity and courage. Thousands of 
Frenchmen were compelled to seek protection in distant 
lands. Among the crowds who fled from France and her 
islands to the United States of America, was the gentle- 
man whom we have already mentioned as Monsieur Le 
Quoi. He had been recommended to the favor of Judge 
Temple, by the head of an eminent mercantile house in 
New York, with whom Marmaduke was in habits of inti- 
macy, and accustomed to exchange good offices. At his 
first interview with the Frenchman, our Judge had dis- 
covered him to be a man of breeding, and one who had 
seen much more prosperous days in his own country. 
From certain hints that had escaped him. Monsieur Le 
Quoi was suspected of having been a West-India planter, 
great numbers of whom had fled from St. Domingo and the 
other islands, and were now living in the Union, in a state 

89 


90 


THE PIONEERS. 


of comparative poverty, and some in absolute want. The 
latter was not, however, the lot of Monsieur Le Quoi. He 
had but little, he acknowledged; but that little was enough 
to furnish, in the language of the country, an assortment for 
a store. 

The knowledge of Marmaduke was eminently practical, 
and there was no part of a settler’s life with which he was 
not familiar. Under Ids direction. Monsieur Le Quoi made 
some purchases, consisting of a few cloths; some groceries, 
with a good deal of gunpowder and tobacco; a quantity of 
iron ware, among which was a large proportion of Barlow’s 
jack-knives, potash-kettles, and spiders ; a very formidable 
collection of crockery, of the coarsest quality and most 
uncouth forms; together with every other common article 
that the art of man has devised for his wants, not forget- 
ting the luxuries of looking-glasses and Jews’ harps. With 
this collection of valuables. Monsieur Le Quoi had stepped 
behind a counter, and, with a wonderful pliability of tem- 
perament, had dropped into his assumed character as grace- 
fully as he had ever moved in any other. The gentleness 
and suavity of his manners rendered him extremely popu- 
lar; besides this, the women soon discovered that he had a 
taste. .His calicoes were the finest, or, in other words, the 
most showy, of any that were brought into the country ; and 
it was impossible to look at the prices asked for his goods 
by “so pretty a spoken man.” Through these conjoint 
means, the affairs of Monsieur Le Quoi were again in a 
prosperous condition, and he was looked up to by the 
settlers as the second-best man on the “Patent.” 

The term “Patent,” which we have already used, and for 
which we may have further occasion, meant the district bf 
country that had been originally granted to old Major 
Effingham by the “king’s letters patent,” and which had 
now become, by purchase under the act of confiscation, the 
property of Marmaduke Temple. It was a term in common 
use throughout the 7iew parts of the state; and was usually 
annexed to the landlord’s name, as “Temple’s or Effino- 
ham’s Patent.” ^ 

Major Hartmann was the descendant of a man who, in 


THE PIONEERS. 


91 


company with a number of his countrymen, had emigrated, 
with their families, from the banks of the Ehine to those 
of the Mohawk. This migration had occurred as far back 
as the reign of Queen Anne; and their descendants were 
now living, in great peace and 'plenty, on the fertile bor- 
ders of that beautiful stream. 

The Germans, or “ High Butchers, ” as they were called, 
to distinguish them from the original or Low Dutch colo- 
nists, were a very peculiar people. They possessed all the 
gravity of the latter, without any of their phlegm; and, 
like them, the ^‘High Butchers’^ were industrious, honest, 
and economical. 

Britz, or Frederick Hartmann, was an epitome of all the 
vices and virtues, foibles and excellences, of his race. He 
was passionate, though silent, obstinate, and a good deal 
suspicious of strangers; of immovable courage, inflexible 
honesty, and undeviating in his friendships. Indeed there 
was no change about him, unless it were from grave to gay. 
He was serious by months, and jolly by weeks. He had, 
early in their acquaintance, formed an attachment for Mar- 
maduke Temple, who was the only man that could not 
speak High Butch that ever gained his entire confidence. 
Four times in each year, at periods equidistant, he left his 
low stone dwelling, on the banks of the Mohawk, and trav- 
elled thirty miles, through the hills, to the door of the man- 
sion-house in Templeton. Here he generally stayed a week; 

. and was reputed to spend much of that time in riotous liv- 
ing, greatly countenanced by Mr. Eichard J ones. But every 
one loved him, even to Eemarkable Pettibone, to whom he 
occasioned some additional trouble, he was so frank, so sin- 
cere, and, at times, so mirthful. He was now on his regular 
Christmas visit, and had not been in the village an hour 
when Eichard summoned him to fill a seat in the sleigh, to 
meet the landlord and his daughter. 

Before explaining the character and situation of Mr. 
Grant, it will be necessary to recur to times far back in 
the brief history of the settlement. 

There seems to be a tendency in human nature to en- 
deavor to provide for the wants of this world, before our 


92 THE PIONEERS. 

attention is turned to the business of the other. Keligion 
was a quality but little cultivated amid the stumps of Tem- 
ple’s Patent for the first few years of its settlement; but, 
as most of its inhabitants were from the moral states of 
Connecticut and Massachusetts, when the wants of nature 
were satisfied, they began seriously to turn their attention 
to the introduction of those customs and observances which 
had been the principal care of their forefathers. There 
was certainly a great variety of opinions on the subject of 
grace and free-will among the tenantry of Marmaduke ; and, 
when we take into consideration the variety of the religious 
instruction which they received, it can easily be seen that 
it could not well be otherwise. 

Soon after the village had been formally laid out into the 
streets and blocks that resembled a city, a meeting of its 
inhabitants had been convened, to take into consideration 
the propriety of establishing an academy. This measure 
originated with Pichard, who, in truth, was much disposed 
to have the institution designated a university, or at least 
a college. Meeting after meeting was held, for this purpose, 
year after year. The resolutions of these assemblages ap- 
peared in the most conspicuous columns of a little, blue- 
looking newspaper, that was already issued weekly from 
the garret of a dwelling-house in the village, and which the 
traveller might as often see stuck into the fissure of a stake, 
erected at the point where the footpath from the log-cabin 
of some settler entered the highway, as a post-office for an 
individual. Sometimes the stake supported a small box, 
and a whole neighborhood received a weekly supply for their 
literary wants, at this point, where a man who ‘‘ rides post ” 
regularly deposited a bundle of the precious commodity. 
To these flourishing resolutions, which briefly recounted the 
general utility of education, the political and geographical 
rights of the village of Templeton to a participation in the 
favors of the regents of the university, the salubrity of 
the air, and wholesomeness of the water, together with the 
cheapness of food and the superior state of morals in the 
neighborhood, were uniformly annexed, in large Eoman 
capitals, the names of Marmaduke Temple as chairman, and 
Kichard Jones as secretary. 


THE PIONEERS. 


93 


Happily for the success of this undertaking, the regents 
were not accustomed to resist these appeals to their gener- 
osity, whenever there was the smallest prospect of a dona- 
tion to second the request. Eventually Judge Temple 
concluded to bestow the necessary land, and to erect the' 
required edifice at his own expense. The skill of Mr. or, 
as he was now called, from the circumstance of having 
received the commission of a justice of the peace. Squire 
Doolittle, was again put in requisition; and the science of 
Mr. J ones was once more resorted to. 

We shall not recount the different devices of the architects 
on the occasion ; nor would it be decorous so to do, seeing 
that there was a convocation of the society of the ancient 
and honorable fraternity “ of the Free and Accepted 
Masons,^’ at the head of whom was Eichard, in the capac- 
ity of master, doubtless to approve or reject such of the 
plans as, in their wisdom, they deemed to be for the best. 
The knotty point was, however, soon decided; and, on the 
appointed day, the brotherhood marched in great state, dis- 
playing sundry banners and mysterious symbols, each man 
with a little mimic apron before him, from a most cunningly 
contrived apartment in the garret of the “ Bold Dragoon, ” 
an inn kept by one Captain Hollister, to the site of the 
intended edifice. Here Eichard laid the corner-stone, with 
suitable gravity, amidst an assemblage of more than half 
the men, and all the women, within ten miles of Templeton. 

In the course of the succeeding week there was another 
meeting of the people, not omitting swarms of the gentler 
sex, when the abilities of Hiram at the square rule ” were 
put to the test of experiment. The frame fitted well; and 
the skeleton of the fabric was reared without a single acci- 
dent, if we except a few falls from horses while the laborers 
were returning home in the evening. From this time the 
work advanced with great rapidity, and in the course of the 
season the labor was completed; the edifice standing, in all 
its beauty and proportions, the boast of the village, the 
study of young aspirants for architectural fame, and the 
admiration of every settler on the Patent. 

It was a long, narrow house of wood, painted white, and 


94 


THE PIONEERS. 


more than half windows; and when the observer stood at 
the western side of the building, the edifice offered but a 
small obstacle to a full view of the rising sun. It was, 
in truth, but a very comfortless open place, through which 
the daylight shone with natural facility. On its front were 
divers ornaments in wood, designed by Kichard, and exe- 
cuted by Hiram ; but a window in the centre of the second 
story, immediately over the door or grand entrance, and 
the ‘‘steeple,’^ were the pride of the building. The former 
was, we believe, of the composite order; for it included in 
its composition a multitude of ornaments, and a great vari- 
ety of proportions. It consisted of an arched compartment 
in the centre, with a square and small division on either 
side, the whole encased in heavy frames, deeply and labori- 
ously moulded in pine-wood, and lighted with a vast num- 
ber of blurred and green-looking glass, of those dimensions 
which are commonly called eight by ten.” Blinds, that 
were intended to be painted green, kept the window in a 
state of preservation ; and probably might have contributed 
to the effect of the whole, had not the failure in the public 
funds, which seems always to be incidental to any under- 
taking of this kind, left them in the sombre coat of lead 
color with which they had been originally clothed. The 
“ steeple ” was a little cupola, reared in the very centre of 
the roof, on four tall pillars of pine, that were fluted with 
a gouge, and loaded with mouldings. On the tops of the 
columns was reared a dome or cupola, resembling in shape 
an inverted tea-cup, without its bottom, from the centre of 
which projected a spire, or shaft of wood, transflxed with 
two iron rods, that bore on their ends the letters N, S, E, 
and W, in the same metal. The whole was surmounted by 
an imitation of one of the flnny tribe, carved in wood by the 
hands of Kichard, and painted what he called a ^‘scale- 
color.” This animal Mr. Jones affirmed to be an admirable 
resemblance of a great favorite of the epicures in that coun- 
try, which bore the title of “ lake-flsh ” ; and doubtless the 
assertion was true; for, although intended to answer the 
purposes of a weathercock, the flsh was observed invariably 
to look, with a longing eye, in the direction of the beautiful 


THE PIONEERS. 95 

sheet of water that lay imbedded in the mountains of Tem- 
pleton. 

For a short time after the charter of the regents was 
received, the trustees of this institution employed a gradu- 
ate of one of the eastern colleges, to instruct such youth as 
aspired to knowledge, within the walls of the edifice which 
we have described. The upper part of the building was in 
one apartment, and was intended for gala-days and exhibi- 
tions; and the lower contained two rooms, that were in- 
tended for the great divisions of education, viz. the Latin 
and the English scholars. The former were never very 
numerous ; though the sounds of “ nominative, pennaa, — 
genitive, penny, were soon heard to issue from the windows 
of the room, to the great delight and manifest edification of 
the passenger. 

Ohly one laborer in this temple of Minerva, however, 
was known to get so far as to attempt a translation of 
Virgil. He, indeed, appeared at the annual exhibition, 
to the prodigious exaltation of all his relatives, a farmer’s 
family in the vicinity, and repeated the whole of the first 
eclogue from memory, observing the intonations of the dia- 
logue with much judgment and effect. The sounds, as they 
proceeded from his mouth, of 

“ Titty-ree too patty-lee ree-coo-bans sub teg-mi-nee faa-gy 
Syl-ves-trem teu-oo-i moo-sam, med-i-taa-ris, aa-ve-ny,” 


were the last that had been heard in that building, as prob- 
ably they were the first that had ever been heard, in the 
same language, there or anywhere else. By this time the 
trustees discovered that they had anticipated the age, and 
the instructor, or principal, was superseded by a master, who 
went on to teach the more humble lesson of “ the more haste 
the worse speed,” in good, plain English. 

Erom this time, until the date of our incidents, the acad- 
emy was a common country school, and the great room of the 
building was sometimes used as a court-room on extraor- 
dinary trials; sometimes for conferences of the religious 
and the morally disposed, in the evening; at others for a 


96 


THE PIONEERS. 


ball, ill the afternoon, given under the auspices of Eichard ; 
and on Sundays, invariably, as a place of public worship. 

When an itinerant priest of the persuasion of the Metho- 
dists, Baptists, Universalists, or of the more numerous sect 
of the Presbyterians, was accidentally in the neighborhood, 
he was ordinarily invited to officiate, and was commonly 
rewarded for his services by a collection in a hat, before 
the congregation separated. When no such regular minister 
offered, a kind of colloquial prayer or two was made by 
some of the more gifted members, and a sermon was usually 
read, from Sterne, by Mr. Eichard Jones. 

The consequence of this desultory kind of priesthood was, 
as we have already intimated, a great diversity of opinion 
on the more abstruse points of faith. Each sect had its 
adherents, though neither was regularly organized and dis- 
ciplined. Of the religious education of Marmaduk^we 
have already written, nor was the doubtful character of his 
faith completely removed by his marriage. The mother of 
Elizabeth was an Episcopalian, as, indeed, was the mother 
of the Judge himself; and the good taste of Marmaduke re- 
volted at the familiar colloquies which the leaders of the 
conferences held with the Deity, in their nightly meetings. 
In form, he was certainly an Episcopalian, though not a 
sectary of that denomination. On the other hand, Eichard 
was as rigid in the observance of the canons of his church 
as he was inflexible in his opinions. Indeed, he had once or 
twice essayed to introduce the Episcopal form of service, 
on the Sundays that the pulpit was vacant; but Eichard was 
a good deal addicted to carrying things to an excess, and 
then there was something so papal in his air, that the 
greater part of his hearers deserted him on the second Sab- 
bath on the third his only auditor was Ben Pump, who 
had all thb obstinate and enlightened orthodoxy of a high 
churchman. 

Before the war of the Eevolution, the English church was 
supported, in the colonies, with much interest, by some of 
its adherents in the mother country, and a few of the con- 
gregations were very amply endowed. But, for a season, 
after the independence of the States was established, this 


THE PIONEERS. 


97 


sect of Christians languished, for the want of the highest 
order of its priesthood. Pious and suitable divines were at 
length selected, and sent to the mother country, to receive 
that authority, which, it is understood, can only be trans- 
mitted directly from one to the other, and thus obtain, in 
order to preserve, that unity in their churches, which prop- 
erly belonged to a people of the same nation. But unex- 
pected difficulties presented themselves, in the oaths with 
which the policy of England had fettered their establish- 
ment ; and much time was spent before a conscientious sense 
of duty would permit the prelates of Britain to delegate the 
authority so earnestly sought. Time, patience, and zeal, 
however, removed every impediment; and the venerable 
men, who had been set apart by the American churches, at 
length returned to their expecting dioceses, endowed with 
the most elevated functions of their earthly church. Priests 
and deacons were ordained; and missionaries provided, to 
keep alive the expiring flame of devotion in such members 
as were deprived of the ordinary administrations, by dwell- 
ing in new and unorganized districts. 

Of this number was Mr. Grant. He had been sent into 
the county of which Templeton was the capital, and had 
been kindly invited by Marmaduke, and officiously pressed 
by Eichard, to take up his abode in the village. A small 
and humble dwelling was prepared for his family, and the 
divine had made his appearance in the place but a few days 
previously to the time of his introduction to the reader. 
As his forms were entirely new to most of the inhabitants, 
and a clergyman of another denomination had previously 
occupied the field, by engaging the academy, the first Sun- 
day after his arrival was suffered to pass in silence; but 
now that his rival had passed on, like a meteor, filling the 
air with the light of his wisdom, Eichard was empowered 
to give notice that ‘‘Public worship, after the forms of the 
Protestant Episcopal church, would be held on the night 
before Christmas, in the long room of the academy in 
Templeton, by the Eev. Mr. Grant.” 

This annunciation excited great commotion among the 
different sectaries. Some wondered as to the nature of the 

H 


98 


THE PIONEERS. 


exhibition; others sneered ; but a far greater part, recollect- 
ing the essays of Richard in that way, and mindful of the 
liberality, or rather laxity of Marmaduke’s notions on the 
subject of sectarianism, thought it most prudent to be 
silent. 

The expected evening was, however, the wonder of the 
hour ; nor was the curiosity at all diminished, when Rich- 
ard and Benjamin, on the morning of the eventful day, were 
seen to issue from the woods in the neighborhood of the 
village, each bearing on his shoulders a large bunch of 
evergreens. This worthy pair was observed to enter the 
academy, and carefullyTo fasten the door, after which their 
proceedings remained a profound secret to the rest of the 
village; Mr. Jones, before he commenced this mysterious 
business, having informed the schoolmaster, to the great 
delight of the white-headed flock he governed, that there 
could be no school that day. Marmaduke was apprised of 
all these preparations, by letter, and it was especially ar- 
ranged that he and Elizabeth should arrive in season to 
participate in the solemnities of the evening. 

After this digression, we shall return to our narrative. 


CHAPTER IX. 


Now all admire, in each high-flavored dish, 

The capabilities of flesh — fowl —fish ; 

In order due each guest assumes his station. 

Throbs high his breast with fond anticipation, 

And prelibates the joys of mastication. 

Heliogabaliad. 

The apartment to whicli Monsieur Le Quoi handed Eliza- 
beth, communicated with the hall, through the door that 
led under the urn which was supposed to contain the ashes 
of- Dido. The room was spacious, and of very just propor- 
tions; but in its ornaments and furniture, the same diver- 
sity of taste, and imperfection of execution, were to be 
observed, as existed in the hall. Of furniture, there were 
a dozen green, wooden arm-chairs, with cushions of moreen, 
taken from*the same piece as the petticoat of Remarkable. 
The tables were spread, and their materials and workman- 
ship could not be seen ; but they were heavy, and of great 
size. An enormous mirror, in a gilt frame, hung against 
the wall, and a cheerful fire, of the hard or sugar-maple, 
was burning on the hearth. The latter was the first object 
that struck the attention of the Judge, who, on beholding 
it, exclaimed, rather angrily, to Richard — 

“ How often have I forbidden the use of the sugar-maple 
in my dwelling! The sight of that sap, as it exudes with 
the heat, is painful to me, Richard. Really, it behoves the 
owner of woods so extensive as mine, to be cautious what 
example he sets his people, who are already felling the 
forests, as if no end could be found to their treasures, nor 
any limits to their extent. If we go on in this way, twenty 
years hence we shall want fuel.” 

‘^Euel in these hills, cousin Muke!” exclaimed Richard, 
99 


100 


THE PIONEERS. 


in derision — ‘‘ fuel ! why, you might as well predict, that 
the fish will die, for the want of water in the lake, because 
I intend, when the frost gets out of the ground, to lead one 
or two of the springs, through logs, into the village. But 
you are always a little wild on such subjects, Marmaduke. 

'‘Is it wildness,’’ returned the Judge, earnestly, “to con- 
demn a practice, which devotes these jewels of the forest, 
these precious gifts of nature, these mines of comfort and 
wealth, to the common uses of a fire-place? But I must, 
and will, the instant the snow is off the earth, send out a 
party into the mountains to explore for coal.” 

“Coal!” echoed Eichard; “who the devil do you think 
will dig for coal, when in hunting for a bushel he would 
have to rip up more roots of trees, than would keep him 
in fuel for a twelvemonth? Poh! poh! Marmaduke, you 
should leave the management of these things to me, who 
have a natural turn that way. It was I that ordered this 
fire, and a noble one it is, to warm the blood of my pretty 
cousin Bess.” 

“The motive, then, must be your apology, Dickon,” said 
the Judge. “ But, gentlemen, we are waiting. Elizabeth, 
my child, take the head of the table ; Eichard, I see, means 
to spare me the trouble of carving, by sitting* opposite to 
you.” 

“To be sure I do,” cried Eichard; “here is a turkey to 
carve; and I flatter myself that I understand carving a 
turkey, or, for that matter, a goose, as well as any man alive. 
Mr. Grant! where’s Mr. Grant? will you please to say grace, 
sir? Everything is getting cold. Take a thing from the 
fire, this cold weather, and it will freeze in five minutes. 
Mr. Grant! we want you to say grace. ‘For what we are 
about to receive, the Lord make us thankful.’ Come, sit 
down, sit down. Do you eat wing or breast, cousin Bess?” 

But Elizabeth had not taken her seat, nor was she in 
readiness to receive either the wing or breast. Her laugh- 
ing eyes were glancing at the arrangements of the table, 
and the quality and selection of the food. The eyes of the 
father soon met the wondering looks of his daughter, and 
he said, with a smile — 


THE PIONEERS. 


101 


“You perceive, my child, how much we are indebted to 
Eemarkable, for her skill in housewifery; she has indeed 
provided a noble repast; such as well might stop the crav- 
ings of hunger.’’ 

“Law!” said Eemarkable, “I’m glad if the Judge is 
pleased; but I’m notional that you’ll find the sa’ce over- 
done. I thought, as Elizabeth was coming home, that a 
body could do no less than make things agreeable.” 

“ My daughter has now grown to woman’s estate, and is 
from this moment mistress of my house,” said the Judge; 
“ it is proper that all who live with me address her as Miss 
Temple.” 

“ Do tell ! ” exclaimed Eemarkable, a little aghast ; “ well, 
who ever heerd of a young woman’s being called Miss? If 
the Judge had a wife now, I shouldn’t think of calling her 
anything but Miss Temple ; but — ” 

“ Having nothing but a daughter, you will observe that 
style to her, if you please, in future,” interrupted Marma- 
duke. 

As the Judge looked seriously displeased, and, at such 
monients, carried a particularly commanding air with him, 
the wary housekeeper made no reply; and, Mr. Grant enter- 
ing the room, the whole party were soon seated at the table. 
As the arrangements of this repast were much in the pre- 
vailing taste of that period and country, we shall endeavor 
to give a short description of the appearance of the banquet. 

The table-linen was of the most beautiful damask, and 
the plates and dishes of real china, an article of great luxury 
at this early period in American commerce. The knives 
and forks were of exquisitely polished steel, and were set 
in unclouded ivory. So much, being furnished by the 
wealth of Marmaduke, was not only comfortable, but even 
elegant. The contents of the several dishes, and their 
positions, however, were the result of the sole judgment 
of Eemarkable. Before Elizabeth, was placed an enormous 
roasted turkey, and before Eichard, one boiled. In the 
centre of the table, stood a pair of heavy silver casters, 
surrounded by four dishes; one a fricassee, that consisted 
of grey squirrels ; another of fish fried; a third of fish 


102 


THE PIONEERS. 


boiled; the last was a venison steak. Between these dishes 
and the turkeys, stood, on the one side, a prodigious chine 
of roasted bear’s meat, and on the other a boiled leg of 
delicious mutton. Interspersed among this load of meats, 
was every species of vegetables that the season and country 
afforded. The four corners were garnished with plates of 
cake. On one was piled certain curiously twisted and 
complicated figures, called ‘‘nut-cakes.” On another were 
heaps of a black-looking substance, which, receiving its 
hue from molasses, was properly termed '“sweet-cake”; 
a wonderful favorite in the coterie of Bemarkable. A 
third was filled, to use the language of the housekeeper, 
with “cards of gingerbread”; and the last held a “plum- 
cake,” so called from the number of large raisins that 
were showing their black heads, in a substance of a sus- 
piciously similar color. At each corner of the table stood 
saucers, filled with a thick fluid, of somewhat equivocal 
color and consistence, variegated with small dark lumps 
of a substance that resembled nothing but itself, which 
Eemarkable termed her “sweetmeats.” At the side of each 
plate, which was placed bottom upwards, with its knife 
and fork most accurately crossed above it, stood another, 
of smaller size, containing a motley-looking pie, composed 
of triangular slices of apple, mince, pumpkin, cranberry, 
and custard^ so arranged as to form an entire whole. 
Decanters of brandy, rum, gin, and wine, with sundry 
pitchers of cider, beer, and one hissing vessel of “flip,” 
were put wherever an opening would admit of their intro- 
duction. Notwithstanding the size of the tables, there was 
scarcely a spot where the rich damask could be seen, so 
crowded were the dishes, with their associated bottles, 
plates, and saucers. The object seemed to be profusion, 
and it was obtained entirely at the expense of order and 
elegance. 

All the guests, as well as the Judge himself, seemed 
perfectly familiar with this description of fare, for each 
one commenced eating, with an appetite that promised to 
do great honor to Kemarkable’s taste and skill. What 
rendered this attention to the repast a little surprising, was 


THE PIONEERS. 


103 


the fact, that both the German and Richard had been sum- 
moned from another table, to meet the Judge; but Major 
Hartmann both ate and drank without any rule, when on 
his excursions; and Mr. Jones invariably made it a point 
to participate in the business in hand, let it be what it 
would. The host seemed to think some apology necessary 
for the warmth he had betrayed on the subject of the fire- 
wood, and when the party were comfortably seated, and 
engaged with their knives and forks, he observed — 

“ The wastefulness of the settlers, with the noble trees of 
this country, is shocking. Monsieur Le Quoi, as doubtless 
you have noticed. I have seen a man fell a pine, when 
he has been in want of fencing-stuff, and roll his first cuts 
into the gap, where he left it to rot, though its top would 
have made rails enough to answer his purpose, and its butt 
would have sold in the Philadelphia market for twenty 
dollars.” 

“And how the devil — I beg your pardon, Mr. Grant,” 
interrupted Richard; “but how is the poor devil to get his 
logs to the Philadelphia market, pray ? put them in his 
pocket, ha ! as you would a handful of chestnuts or a bunth 
of chicker-berries? I should like to see you walking up 
High Street, with a pine log in each pocket! — Poh! poh! 
cousin Muke, there are trees enough for us all, and some to 
spare. Why, I can hardly tell which way the wind blows, 
when I’m out in the clearings, they are so thick, and so tall; 
— I couldn’t at all, if it wasn’t for the clouds, and I hap- 
pen to know all the points of the compass, as it were, by 
heart.” 

“Ay! ay! Squire,” cried Benjamin, who had now entered, 
and taken his place behind the Judge’s chair, a little aside 
withal, in order to be ready for any observation like the 
present ; “ look aloft, sir, look aloft. The old seamen say, 
Hhat the devil wouldn’t make a sailor, unless he look’d 
aloft. ’ As for the compass, why, there is no such thing as 
steering without one. I’m sure I never lose sight of the 
main-top, as I call the Squire’s look-out on the roof, but I 
set my compass, d’ye see, and take the bearings and dis- 
tance of things, in order to work out my course, if so be that 


104 


THE PIONEERS. 


it should cloud up, or the tops of the trees should shut out 
the light of heaven. The steeple of St. PauTs, now that 
we have got it on end, is a great help to the navigation of 
the woods, for, by the Lord Harry, as I was — ” 

‘‘It is well, Benjamin,” interrupted Marmaduke, observ- 
ing that his daughter manifested displeasure at the major- 
domo’s familiarity; “but you forget there is a lady in 
company, and the women love to do most of the talking 
themselves.” 

“The Judge says the true word,” cried Benjamin, with 
one of his discordant laughs. “Now here is Mistress 
Eemarkable Prettybones; just take the stopper off her 
tongue, and you’ll hear a gabbling, worse-like than if 
you should happen to fall to leeward in crossing a Prench 
privateer, or some such thing, mayhap, as a dozen monkeys 
stowed in one bag.” 

It were impossible to say how perfect an illustration of 
the truth of Benjamin’s assertion the housekeeper would 
have furnished, if she had dared; but the Judge looked 
sternly at her, and, unwilling to incur his resentment, yet 
unable to contain her anger, she threw herself out of the 
room, with a toss of the body that nearly separated her 
frail form in the centre. 

“Richard,” said Marmaduke, observing that his displeas- 
ure had produced the desired effect, “ can you inform me of 
anything concerning the youth whom I so unfortunately 
wounded? I found him on the mountain, hunting in com- 
pany with the Leather-stocking, as if they were of the same 
family; but there is a manifest difference in their manners. 
The youth delivers himself in chosen language; such as is 
seldom heard in these hills, and such as occasions great 
surprise to me, how one so meanly clad, and following so 
lowly a pursuit, could attain. Mohegan also knew him. 
Doubtless he is a tenant of Natty’s hut. Did you remark 
the language of the lad. Monsieur Le Quoi? ” 

“ Certainement, Monsieur Tempi’,” returned the Prench- 
man, “he deed convairse in de excellent Anglaise.” 

“The boy is no miracle,” exclaimed Richard; “I’ve 
known children that were sent to school early, talk much 


THE PIONEERS. 


105 


better, before they were twelve years old. There was Zarecl 
Coe, old Nehemiah’s son, who first settled on the beaver- 
dam meadow : he could write almost as good a hand as my- 
self, when he was fourteen; though it’s true, I helped to 
teach him a little, in the evenings. But this shooting 
gentleman ought to be put in the stocks, if he ever takes a 
rein in his hand again. He is the most awkward fellow 
about a horse I ever met with. I dare say, he never drove 
anything but oxen in his life.” 

There I think, Dickon, you do the lad injustice, ” said 
the Judge ; “ he uses much discretion in critical moments. 
Dost thou not think so, Bess?” 

There was nothing in this question particularly to ex- 
cite blushes, but Elizabeth started from the reverie into 
which she had fallen, and colored to her forehead, as she 
answered — 

“To me, dear sir, he appeared extremely skilful, and 
prompt, and courageous; but perhaps cousin Bichard will 
say, I am as ignorant as the gentleman himself.” 

“ Gentleman ! ” echoed Eichard ; “ do you call such chaps 
gentlemen, at school, Elizabeth? ” 

“ Every man is a gentleman that knows how to treat a 
woman with respect and consideration,” returned the young 
lady, promptly, and a little smartly. 

“ So much for hesitating to appear before the heiress in 
his shirt sleeves,” cried Eichard, winking at Monsieur Le 
Quoi, who returned the wink with one eye, while he rolled 
the other, with an expression of sympathy, towards the 
young lady. “Well, well, to me he seemed anything but 
a gentleman. I must say, however, for the lad, that he 
draws a good trigger, and has a true aim. He’s good at 
shooting a buck, ha! Marmaduke?” 

“Eichart,” said Major Hartmann, turning his grave coun- 
tenance towards the gentleman he addressed, with much 
earnestness, “ ter poy is goot. He savet your life, and my 
life, and ter life of Tominie Grant, and ter life of ter 
Frenchman; and, Eichart, he shall never vont a pet to 
sleep in vile olt Fritz Hartmann has a shingle to cover 
his het mit.” 


106 


THE PIONEERS. 


“Well, well, as you please, old gentleman,’’ returned 
Mr. Jones, endeavoring to look indifferent; “put him into 
your own stone house, if you will. Major. I dare say the 
lad never slept in anything better than a bark shanty in his 
life, unless it was some such hut as the cabin of Leather- 
stocking. I prophesy you will soon spoil him: any one 
could see how proud he grew, in a short time, just because 
he stood by my horses’ heads, while I turned them into the 
highway.” 

“No, no, my old friend,” cried Marmaduke, “it shall be 
my task to provide in some manner for the youth : I owe 
him a debt of my own, besides the service he has done me, 
through my friends. And yet I anticipate some little 
trouble, in inducing him to accept of my services. He 
showed a marked dislike, I thought, Bess, to my offer of a 
residence within these walls for life.” 

“Really, dear sir,” said Elizabeth, projecting her beauti- 
ful under-lip, “ I have not studied the gentleman so closely 
as to read his feelings in his countenance. I thought he 
might very naturally feel pain from his wound, and there- 
fore pitied him ; but ” — and as she spoke she glanced her 
eye, with suppressed curiosity, towards the major-domo — 
“I dare say, sir, that Benjamin can tell you something 
about him. He cannot have been in the village, and Ben- 
jamin not have seen him often.” 

“Ay! I have seen the boy before,” said Benjamin, who 
wanted little encouragement to speak ; “ he has been back- 
ing and tilling in the wake of Natty Bumppo, through the 
mountains, after deer, like a Dutch long-boat in tow of an 
Albany sloop. He carries a good rifle, too. The Leather- 
stocking said, in my hearing, before Betty Hollister’s bar- 
room tire, no later than the Tuesday night, that the younker 
was certain death to the wild beasts. If so be he can kill 
the wildcat that has been heard moaning on the lake side 
since the hard frosts and deep snows have driven the deer 
to herd, he will be doing the thing that is good. Your 
wildcat is a bad ship-mate, and should be made to cruise 
out of the track of Christian men.” 

“Lives he in the hut of Bumppo?” asked Marmaduke, 
with some interest. 


THE PIONEERS. 


107 


“Cheek by jowl: the “Wednesday will be three weeks 
since he first hove in sight, in company with Leather-stock- 
ing. They had captured a wolf between them, and had 
brought in his scalp for the bounty. That Mister Bump-ho 
has a handy turn with him, in taking off a scalp; and 
there’s them, in this here village, who say he larnt the 
trade by working on Christian men. If so be that there is 
truth in the saying, and I commanded along-shore here, as 
your honor does, why, d’ye see, I’d bring him to the gang- 
way for it, yet. There’s a very pretty post rigged along- 
side of the stocks ; and for the matter of a cat, I can fit one 
with my own hands ; ay ! and use it too, for the want of a 
better.” 

“You are not to credit the idle tales you hear of Natty; 
he has a kind of natural right to gain a livelihood in these 
mountains ; and if the idlers in the village take it into their 
heads to annoy him, as they sometimes do reputed rogues, 
they shall find him protected by the strong arm of the law.” 

“Ter rifle is petter as ter law,” said the Major, senten- 
tiously. 

“ That for his rifle ! ” exclaimed Eichard, snapping his 
fingers ; “ Ben is right, and I — ” He was stopped by the 
sounds of a common ship-bell, that had been elevated to the 
belfry of the academy, which now announced, by its inces- 
sant ringing, that the hour for the appointed service had 
arrived. “‘For this, and every other instance of his good- 
ness’ — I beg pardon, Mr. Grant, will you please to return 
thanks, sir? it is time we should be moving, as we are the. 
only Episcopalians in the neighborhood, that is I, and Ben- 
jamin, and Elizabeth; for I count half-breeds, like Marma- 
duke, as bad as heretics.” 

The divine arose, and performed the office, meekly and 
fervently, and the whole party instantly prepared them- 
selves for the church — or rather academy. 


CHAPTER X. 


And, calling sinful man to pray, 

Loud, long, and deep, the bell had tolled. 

Scott’s Burgher. 

While Richard and Monsieur Le Quoi, attended by 
Benjamin, proceeded to the academy by a footpath through 
the snow, the Judge, his daughter, the divine, and the 
Major, took a more circuitous route to the same place by 
the streets of the village. 

The moon had risen, and its orb was shedding a flood of 
light over the dark outline of pines which crowned the 
eastern mountain. In many climates the sky would have 
been thought clear and lucid for a noontide. The stars 
twinkled in the heavens, like the last glimmerings of dis- 
tant Are, so much were they obscured by the overwhelming 
radiance of the atmosphere; the rays from the moon strik- 
ing upon the smooth white surfaces of the lake and fields, 
reflecting upwards a light that was brightened by the spot- 
less color of the immense bodies of snow which covered the 
earth. 

Elizabeth employed herself with reading the signs, one 
of which appeared over almost every door ; while the sleigh 
moved steadily, and at an easy gait, along the principal 
street. Not only new occupations, but names that were 
strangers to her ears, met her gaze at every step they pro- 
ceeded. The very houses seemed changed. This had been 
altered by an addition; that had been painted: another had 
been erected on the site of an old acquaintance, which had 
been banished from the earth almost as soon as it made its 
appearance on it. All were, however, pouring forth their 
inmates, who uniformly held their way towards the point 

108 


THE PIONEERS. 109 

where the expected exhibition of the conjoint taste of 
Richard and Benjamin was to be made. 

After viewing the buildings, which really appeared to 
some advantage, under the bright but mellow light of the 
moon, our heroine turned her eyes to a scrutiny of the 
different figures that they passed, in search of any form 
that she knew. But all seemed alike, as mufiied in cloaks, 
hoods, coats, or tippets, they glided along the narrow pas- 
sages in the snow which led under the houses, half hid by 
the bank that had been thrown up in excavating the deep 
path in which they trod. Once or twice she thought there 
was a stature or a gait that she recollected; but the person 
who owned it instantly disappeared behind one of those 
enormous piles of wood that lay before most of the doors. 
It was only as they turned from the main street into another 
that intersected it at right angles, and which led directly 
to the place of meeting, that she recognized a face and 
building that she knew. 

The house stood at one of the principal corners in the vil- 
lage; and, by its well-trodden doorway, as well as the sign 
that was swinging with a kind of doleful sound in the 
blasts that occasionally swept down the lake, was clearly 
one of the most frequented inns in the place. The building 
was only of one story ; but the dormer windows in the roof, 
the paint, the window-shutters, and the cheerful fire that 
shone through the open door, gave it an air of comfort that 
was not possessed by many of its neighbors. The sign was 
suspended from a common ale-house post, and represented 
the figure of a horseman, armed with sabre and pistols, and 
surmounted by a bearskin cap, with a fiery animal that he 
bestrode ‘^rampant.” All these particulars were easily to 
be seen by the aid of the moon, together with a row of 
somewhat illegible writing in black paint, but in which 
Elizabeth, to whom the whole was familiar, read with 
facility, ^^The Bold Dragoon.” 

A man and a woman were issuing from the door of this hab- 
itation as the sleigh was passing. The former moved with 
a stiff, military step, that was a good deal heightened by 
a limp in one leg ; but the woman advanced with a measure 


110 


THE PIONEERS. 


and an air that seemed not particularly regardful of what 
she might encounter. The light of the moon fell directly 
upon her full, broad, and red visage, exhibiting her mascu- 
line countenance, under the mockery of a ruffled cap that 
was intended to soften the lineaments of features that were 
by no means squeamish. A small bonnet of black silk, and 
of a slightly formal cut, was placed on the. back of her head, 
but so as not to shade her visage in the least. Her face, 
as it encountered the rays of the moon from the east, seemed 
not unlike a sun rising in the west. She advanced, with 
masculine strides, to intercept the sleigh; and the Judge, 
directing the namesake of the Grecian king, who held the 
lines, to check his horses, the parties were soon near to 
each other. 

‘‘Good luck to ye, and a wilcome home, Jooge!’^ cried 
the female, with a strong Irish accent; “and Vm sure it’s 
to me that ye’r always wilcome. Sure! and there’s Miss 
’Lizzy, and a fine young woman is she grown. What a 
heart-ach would she be giving the young men now, if there 
was sich a thing as a rigiment in the town! Och! but it’s 
idle to talk of sich vanities, while the bell is calling us to 
mateing, jist as we shall be call’d away unexpictedly, some 
day, when we are the laist calkilating. Good even. Major : 
will I make the bowl of gin toddy the night? or it’s likely 
ye’ll stay at the big house the Christmas eve, and the very 
night of ye’r getting there?” 

“I am glad to see you, Mrs. Hollister,” returned Eliza- 
beth. “ I have been trying to find a face that I knew, since 
we left the door of the mansion-house ; but none have I seen 
except your own. Your house, too, is unaltered; while all 
the others are so changed, that, but for the places where they 
stand, they would be utter strangers. I observe you also 
keep the dear sign that I saw cousin Richard paint; and 
even the name at the bottom, about which, you may remem- 
ber, you had the disagreement.” 

“It is the bould dragoon ye mane? And what name 
would he have, who niver was known by any other, as my 
husband here, the Captain, can testify. He was a pleasure 
to wait upon, and was ever the foremost in need. Och ! but 


THE PIONEERS. 


Ill 


he had a sudden end! But it’s to be hoped that he was 
justified by the cause. And it’s not Parson Grant there 
who’ll gainsay that same. Yes, yes; the Squire would 
paint, and so I thought that we might have his face up 
there, who had so often shared good and evil wid us. The 
eyes is no so large nor so fiery as the Captain’s own; but 
the whiskers and the cap is as like as two peas. Well, 
well. I’ll not keep ye in the cowld, talking, but will drop 
in the morrow after sarvice, and ask ye how ye do. It’s 
our bounden duty to make the most of this present, and to 
go to the house which is open to all; so God bless ye, and 
keep ye from evil! Will I make the gin-twist the night, 
or no. Major?” 

To this question the German replied, very sententiously, 
in the affirmative ; and, after a few words had passed between 
the husband of this fiery-faced hostess and the Judge; the 
sleigh moved on. It soon reached the door of the academy, 
where the party alighted and entered the building. 

In the meantime, Mr. Jones and his two companions, 
having a much shorter distance to journey, had arrived 
before the appointed place several minutes sooner than the 
party in the sleigh. Instead of hastening into the room, in 
order to enjoy the astonishment of the settlers, Kichard 
placed a hand in either pocket of his surtout, and affected 
to walk about, in front of the academy, like one to whom 
the ceremonies were familiar. 

The villagers proceeded uniformly into the building, with 
a decorum and gravity that nothing could move, on such 
occasions; but with a haste that was probably a little 
heightened by curiosity. Those who came in from the 
adjacent country, spent some little time in placing certain 
blue and white blankets over their horses before they pro- 
ceeded to indulge their desire to view the interior of the 
house. Most of these men Richard approached, and in- 
quired after the health and condition of their families. 
The readiness with which he mentioned the names of even 
the children, showed how very familiarly acquainted he was 
with their circumstances ; and the nature of the answers he 
received, proved that he was a general favorite. 


112 


THE PIONEERS. 


At length one of the pedestrians from the village stopped 
also, and fixed an earnest gaze at a new brick edifice, that 
was throwing a long shadow across the fields of snow, as it 
rose, with a beautiful gradation of light and shade, under 
the rays of a full moon. In front of the academy was a 
vacant piece of ground, that was intended for a public 
square. On the side opposite to Mr. Jones, the new and as 
yet unfinished church of St. Paul’s was erected. This edi- 
fice had been reared during the preceding summer, by the 
aid of what was called a subscription ; though all, or nearly 
all, of the money came from the pocket of the landlord. It 
had been built under a strong conviction of the necessity of 
a more seemly place of worship than ‘Hhe long room of the 
academy,” and under an implied agreement that, after its 
completion, the question should be fairly put to the people, 
that they might decide to what denomination it should 
belong. Of course, this expectation kept alive a strong 
excitement in some few of the sectaries who were interested 
in its decision; though but little was said openly on the 
subject. Had Judge Temple espoused the cause of any 
particular sect, the question would have been immediately 
put at rest, for his influence was too powerful to be opposed; 
but he declined interference in the matter, positively refus- 
ing to lend even the weight of his name on the side of 
Eichard, who had secretly given an assurance to his Dioc- 
esan, that both the building and the congregation would 
cheerfully come within the pale of the Protestant Episcopal 
church. But when the neutrality of the Judge was clearly 
ascertained, Mr. Jones discovered that he had to contend 
with a stiff-necked people. His first measure was to go 
among them, and commence a course of reasoning, in order 
to bring them round to his own way. of thinking. They all 
heard him patiently, and not a man uttered a word in reply, 
in the way of argument : and Eichard thought, by the time 
that he had gone through the settlement, the point was 
conclusively decided in his favor. Willing to strike while 
the iron was hot, he called a meeting, through the news- 
paper, with a view to decide the question by a vote, at 
once. Hot a soul attended; and one of the most anxious 


THE PIONEERS. 


113 


afternoons that he had ever known, was spent by Richard 
in a vain discussion with Mrs. Hollister, who strongly con- 
tended that the Methodist (her own) church was the best 
entitled to, and most deserving of, the possession of the 
new tabernacle. Richard now perceived that he had been 
too sanguine, and had fallen into the error of all those 
who ignorantly deal with that wary and sagacious people. 
He assumed a disguise himself — that is, as well as he 
knew how, and proceeded step by step to advance his 
purpose. 

The task of erecting the building had been unanimously 
transferred to Mr. Jones and Hiram Doolittle. Together 
they had built the mansion-house, the academy, and the 
jail; and they alone knew how to plan and rear such a 
structure as was now required. Early in the day, these 
architects had made an equitable division of their duties. 
To the former was assigned the duty of making all the 
plans, and to the latter, the labor of superintending the 
execution. 

Availing himself of this advantage, Richard silently 
determined that the windows should have the Roman arch ; 
the first positive step in effecting his wishes. As the build- 
ing was made of bricks, he was enabled to conceal his de- 
sign, until the moment arrived for placing the frames : then, 
indeed, it became necessary to act. He communicated his 
wishes to Hiram with great caution; and, without in the 
least adverting to the spiritual part of his project, he 
pressed the point a little warmly, on the score of archi- 
tectural beauty. Hiram heard him patiently, and without 
contradiction ; but still Richard was unable to discover the 
views of his coadjutor on this interesting subject. As the 
right to plan was duly delegated to Mr. Jones, no direct 
objection was made in words, but numberless unexpected 
difficulties arose in the execution. At first there was a 
scarcity in the right kind of material necessary to form the 
frames ; but this objection was instantly silenced, by Rich- 
ard running his pencil through two feet of their length at 
one stroke. Then the expense was mentioned; but Richard 
reminded Hiram that his cousin paid, and that li& was hi§ 


1 


114 


THE PIONEERS. 


treasurer. This last intimation had great weight, and 
after a silent and protracted, but fruitless opposition, the 
work was suffered to proceed on the original plan. 

The next difficulty occurred in the steeple, which Richard 
had modelled after one of the smaller of those spires that 
adorn the great London Cathedral. The imitation was 
somewhat lame, it is true, the proportions being but indif- 
ferently observed; but, after much difficulty, Mr. Jones had 
the satisfaction of seeing an object reared that bore, in its 
outlines, a striking resemblance to a vinegar-cruet. There 
was less opposition to this model than to the windows ; for 
the settlers were fond of novelty, and their steeple was 
without a precedent. 

Here the labor ceased for the season, and the difficult 
question of the interior remained for further deliberation. 
Richard well knew, that when he came to propose a read- 
ing-desk and a chancel, he must unmask ; for these were ar- 
rangements known to no church in the country but his own. 
Presuming, however, on the advantages he had already ob- 
tained, he boldly styled the building St. PauPs, and Hiram 
prudently acquiesced in this appellation, making, however, 
the slight addition of calling it New St. PauPs,’’ feeling 
less aversion to a name taken from the English Cathedral 
than from the saint. 

The pedestrian whom we have already mentioned, as 
pausing to contemplate this edifice, was no other than the 
gentleman so frequently named as Mr., or Squire, Doolittle. 
He was of a tall, gaunt formation, with rather sharp feat- 
ures, and a face that expressed formal propriety, mingled 
with low cunning. Richard approached him, followed by 
Monsieur Le Quoi, and the major-domo. 

“Good evening. Squire,” said Richard, bobbing his head, 
but without moving his hands from his pockets. 

“Good evening. Squire,” echoed Hiram, turning his body, 
in order to turn his head also. 

“A cold night, Mr. Doolittle, a cold night, sir.” 

“Coolish; a tedious spell on’t.” 

“ What, looking at our church, ha ! it looks well, by moon- 
light; how the tin of the cupola glistens! I warrant you 


THE PIONEERS. 115 

the dome of the other St. Pauhs never shines so in the 
smoke of London.” 

‘‘It is a pretty meeting-house to look on,” returned 
Hiram, “and I believe that Monshnre Ler Quow and Mr. 
Penguilliam will allow it.” 

“ Sairtainlee ! ” exclaimed the complaisant Frenchman, 
“it ees ver fine.” 

“ I thought the Monshnre would say so. The last molas- 
ses that we had was excellent good. It isn’t likely that 
you have any more of it on hand?” 

“Ah! oui; ees, sair,” returned Monsieur Le Quoi, with 
a slight shrug of his shoulder, and a trifling grimace, “ dere 
is more. I feel ver happi dat you love eet. I hope dat 
Madame Doleet’ is in good ’ealth.” 

“Why, so as to be stirring,” said Hiram. — “The Squire 
hasn’t finished the plans for the inside of the meeting- 
house yet? ” 

“ No — no — no,” returned Pichard, speaking quickly, but 
making a significant pause between each negative — “it 
requires reflection. There is a great deal of room to fill 
up, and I am afraid we shall not know how to dispose of it 
to advantage. There will be a large vacant spot around 
the pulpit, which I do not mean to place against the wall, 
like a sentry-box stuck up on the side of a fort.” 

“It is ruleable to put the deacon’s box under the pulpit,” 
said Hiram; and then, as if he had ventured too much, 
he added, “ but there’s different fashions in different coun- 
tries.” 

“That there is,” cried Benjamin; “now, in running down 
the coast of Spain and Portingall, you may see a nunnery 
stuck out on every headland, with more steeples and out- 
riggers, such as dog- vanes and weather-cocks, than you’ll 
find aboard of a three-masted schooner. If so be that a 
well-built church is wanting. Old England, after all, is the 
country to go to after your models and fashion pieces. As 
to Paul’s, thof I’ve never seen it, being that it’s a long way 
up town from Badcliffe-highway and the docks, yet every- 
body knows that it’s the grandest place in the world. Now, 
I’ve no opinion but this here church over there is as like 


116 


THE PIONEERS. 


one end of it, as a grampus is to a whale ; and that^s only a 
small difference in bulk. Mounsheer Ler Quaw, here, has 
been in foreign parts; and thof that is not the same as hav- 
ing been at home^ yet he must have seen churches in France 
too, and can form a small idee of what a church should be; 
now, I ask the Mounsheer to his face, if it is not a clever 
little thing; taking it by and large? 

“It ees ver apropos of saircumstance,” said the French- 
man — “ver judgment — but it is in de catholique country 
dat dey build de — vat you call — ah a ah-ha — ■ la grande 
cathedrale — de big church. St. Paul, Londre, is ver fine ; 
ver belle; ver grand^ — vat you call beeg; but. Monsieur 
Ben, pardonnez moi, it is no vort so much as Notre 
Dame.” 

“Ha! Mounsheer, what is that you say?” cried Benja- 
min — “St. PauPs church not worth so much as a damn! 
Mayhap you may be thinking too that the Boyal Billy isn^t 
so good a ship as the Billy de Paris ; but she would have 
licked two of her, any day, and in all weathers.” 

As Benjamin had assumed a very threatening kind of 
attitude, flourishing an arm, with a bunch at the end of it 
that was half as big as Monsieur Le Quoi’s head, Bichard 
thought it time to interpose his authority. 

“Hush, Benjamin, hush,” he said; “you both misunder- 
stand Monsieur Le Quoi, and forget yourself. — But here 
comes Mr. Grant, and the service will commence. Let us 
go in.” 

The Frenchman, who received Benjamin’s reply with a 
well-bred good humor, that would not admit of any feeling 
but pity for the other’s ignorance, bowed in acquiescence, 
and followed his companion. 

Hiram and the major-domo brought up the rear, the lat- 
ter grumbling, as he entered the building — 

“ If so be that the King of France had so much as a house 
to live in that would lay along-side of Paul’s, one might 
put up with their jaw. It’s more than flesh and blood can 
bear, to hear a Frenchman run down an English church in 
this manner. Why, Squire Doolittle, I’ve been at the 
whipping of two of them in one day — clean built, snug 


THE PIONEERS. 


117 


frigates, with standing-royals, and them new-fashioned 
cannonades on their quarters — such as, if they had only 
Englishmen aboard of them, would have font the devil.’’ 

With this ominous word in his mouth, Benjamin entered 
the church. 


CHAPTER XI. 


And fools who came to scoff, remained to pray. 

Goldsmith. 

Hotwithstanding the united labors of Richard and 
Benjamin, the long-room ” was but an extremely inarti- 
ficial temple. Benches, made in the coarsest manner, and 
entirely with a view to usefulness, were arranged in rows, 
for the reception of the congregation; while a rough, un- 
painted box, was placed against the wall, in the centre of 
the length of the apartment, as an apology for a pulpit. 
Something like a reading-desk was in front of this rostrum ; 
and a small mahogany table, from the mansion-house, cov- 
ered with a spotless damask cloth, stood a little on one side 
by the way of an altar. Branches of pines and hemlocks 
were stuck in each of the fissures that offered, in the 
unseasoned and hastily completed wood-work of both 
the building and its furniture; while festoons and hiero- 
glyphics met the eye in vast profusion along the brown 
sides of the scratch-coated walls. As the room was only 
lighted by some ten or fifteen miserable candles, and the 
windows were without shutters, it would have been but a 
dreary, cheerless place for the solemnities of a Christmas- 
eve, had not the large fire that was crackling at each end of 
the apartment given an air of cheerfulness to the scene, by 
throwing an occasional glare of light through the vistas of 
bushes and faces. 

The two sexes were separated by an area in the centre of 
the room immediately before the pulpit ; and a few benches 
lined this space that were occupied by the principal person- 
ages of the village and its vicinity. This distinction was 
rather a gratuitous concession, made by the poorer and less 
polished part of the population, than a right claimed by the 

118 


♦THE PIONEERS. 


119 


favored few. One bench, was occupied by the party of Judge 
Temple, including his daughter ; and, with the exception of 
Dr. Todd^ no one else appeared willing to incur the impu- 
tation of pride, by taking a seat in what was, literally, the 
high place of the tabernacle. 

Eichard filled the chair that was placed behind another 
table, in the capacity of clerk; while Benjamin, after heap- 
ing sundry logs on the fire, posted himself nigh by, in 
reserve for any movement that might require co-opera- 
tion. 

It would greatly exceed our limits to attempt a descrip- 
tion of the congregation; for the dresses were as various 
as the individuals. Some one article, of more than usual 
finery, and perhaps the relic of other days, was to be seen 
about most of the females, in connexion with the coarse 
attire of the woods. This wore a faded silk, that had gone 
through at least three generations, over coarse, woollen 
black stockings ; that, a shawl, whose dyes were as numer- 
ous as those of the rainbow, over an awkwardly fitting gown, 
of rough brown ‘‘woman’s wear.” In short, each one ex- 
hibited some favorite article, and all appeared in their best, 
both men and women; while the ground-works in dress, in 
either sex, were the coarse fabrics manufactured within their 
own dwellings. One man appeared in the dress of a vol- 
unteer company of artillery, of which he had been a mem- 
ber in the “down countries,” precisely for no other reason 
than because it was the best suit he had. Several, particu- 
larly of the younger men, displayed pantaloons of blue, 
edged with red cloth down the seams, part of the equip- 
ments of the “Templeton Light Infantry,” from a little 
vanity to be seen in “boughten clothes.” There was also 
one man in a “rifle frock,” with its fringes and folds of 
spotless white, striking a chill to the heart with the idea of 
its coolness; although the thick coat of brown “home made, 
that was concealed beneath, preserved a proper degree of 
warmth. 

There was a marked uniformity of expression in counte- 
nance, especially in that half of the congregation who did 
not enjoy the advantages of the polish of the village. A 


120 


THE PIONEERS, 


sallow skin, that indicated nothing but exposure, was com- 
mon to all, as was an air of great decency and attention, 
mingled, generally, with an expression of shrewdjjess, and, 
in the present instance, of active curiosity. Now and then 
a face and dress were to be seen among the congregation, 
that differed entirely from this description. If pock-marked 
and florid, with gaitered legs, and a coat that snugly fitted 
the person of the wearer, it was surely an English emigrant, 
who had bent his steps to this retired quarter of the globe. 
If hard-featured, and without color, with high cheek-bones, 
it was a native of Scotland, in similar circumstances. 

. The short, black-eyed man, with a cast of the swarthy 
Spaniard in his face, who rose repeatedly to make room for 
the belles of the village as they entered, was a son of Erin, 
who had lately left off his pack, and become a stationary 
trader in Templeton. In short, half the nations in the 
north of Europe had their representatives in this assembly, 
though all had closely assimilated themselves to the Ameri- 
cans in dress and appearance, except the Englishman. He, 
indeed, not only adhered to his native customs in attire and 
living, but usually drove his plough, among the stumps, in 
the same manner as he had before done on the plains of 
Norfolk, until dear-bought experience taught him the use- 
ful lesson, that a sagacious people knew what was suited 
to their circumstances better than a casual observer; or a 
sojourner, who was, perhaps, too much prejudiced to com- 
pare, and, peradventure, too conceited to learn. 

Elizabeth soon discovered that she divided the attention 
of the congregation with Mr. Grant. Timidity, therefore, 
confined her observation of the appearances which we have 
described to stolen glances ; but, as the stamping of feet 
was now becoming less frequent, and even the coughing, 
and other little preliminaries of a congregation settling 
themselves down into reverential attention, were ceasing, 
she felt emboldened to look around her. Gradually all 
noises diminished, until the suppressed cough denoted that 
it was necessary to avoid singularity, and the most pro- 
found stillness pervaded the apartment. The snapping of 
the fires, as they threw a powerful heat into the room, was 


THE PIONEERS. 


121 


alone heard, and each face, and every eye, were turned on 
the divine. 

At this moment, a heavy stamping of feet was heard in 
the passage below, as if a new-comer was releasing his limbs 
from the snow that was necessarily clinging to the legs of a 
pedestrian. It was succeeded by no audible tread; but 
directly Mohegan, followed by the Leather-stocking and 
the young hunter, made his appearance. Their footsteps 
would not have been heard, as they trod the apartment in 
their moccasins, but for the silence which prevailed. 

The Indian moved with great gravity across the floor, 
and, observing a vacant seat next to the Judge, he took it, 
in a manner that manifested his sense of his own dignity. 
Here, drawing his blanket closely around him, so as partly 
to conceal his countenance, he remained, during the service, 
immovable, but deeply attentive. Natty passed the place 
that was so freely taken by his red companion, and seated 
himself on one end of a log that was lying near the fire, 
where he continued, with his rifle standing between his 
legs, absorbed in reflections, seemingly of no very pleasing 
nature. The youth found a seat among the congregation, 
and another silence prevailed. 

Mr. Grant now arose, and commenced his service, with 
the sublime declaration of the Hebrew prophet — ^‘The 
Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth keep silence 
before Him.” The example of Mr. Jones was unnecessary 
to teach the congregation to rise ; the solemnity of the divine 
effected this as by magic. After a short pause, Mr. Grant 
proceeded with the solemn and winning exhortation of his 
service. Nothing was heard but the deep, though affec- 
tionate, tones of the reader, as he slowly went through this 
exordium; until, something unfortunately striking the mind 
of Eichard as incomplete, he left his place, and walked on 
tip-toe from the room. 

When the clergyman bent his knees in prayer and con- 
fession, the congregation so far imitated his example as 
to resume their seats; whence no succeeding effort of the 
divine, during the evening, was able to remove them in a 
body. Some rose at times ; but by far the larger part con- 


122 


THE PIONEERS. 


tinued unbending; observant, it is true, but it was the kind 
of observation that regarded the ceremony as a spectacle 
rather than a worship in which they were to participate. 
Thus deserted by his clerk, Mr. Grant continued to read; 
but no response was audible. The short and solemn pause 
that succeeded each petition was made; still no voice 
repeated the eloquent language of the prayer. 

The lips of Elizabeth moved, but they moved in vain; 
and, accustomed as she was to the service in the churches 
of the metropolis, she was beginning to feel the awkward- 
ness of the circumstance most painfully, when a soft, low, 
female voice repeated after the priest, We have left undone 
those things which we ought to have done.” Startled at 
finding one of her own sex in that place, who could rise 
superior to natural timidity. Miss Temple turned her eyes 
in the direction of the penitent. She observed a young 
female on her knees, but a short distance from her, with 
her meek face humbly bent over her book. 

The appearance of this stranger, for such she was, en- 
tirely, to Elizabeth, was light and fragile. Her dress was 
neat and becoming; and her countenance, though pale 
and slightly agitated, excited deep interest by its sweet and 
melancholy expression. A second and third response were 
made by this juvenile assistant, when the manly sounds of 
a male voice proceeded from the opposite part of the room. 
Miss Temple knew the tones of the young hunter instantly, 
and struggling to overcome her own diffidence, she added 
her low voice to the number. 

All this time Benjamin stood thumbing the leaves of 
a prayer-book with great industry; but some unexpected 
difficulties prevented his finding the place. Before the 
divine reached the close of the confession, however, Rich- 
ard re-appeared at the door, and, as he moved lightly across 
the room, he took up the response, in a voice that betrayed 
no other concern than that of not being heard. In his hand 
he carried a small open box, with the figures “8 by 10” 
written in black paint on one of its sides; which, having 
placed in the pulpit, apparently as a footstool for the 
divine, he returned to his station in time to say sono- 


THE PIONEERS. 


123 


rously, “Amen.’’ The eyes of the congregation, very natu- 
rally, were turned to the windows, as Mr. Jones entered 
with this singular load; and then, as if accustomed to his 
“general agency,” were again bent on the priest, in close 
and curious attention. 

The long experience of Mr. Grant admirably qualified 
him to perform his present duty. He well understood the 
character of his listeners, who were mostly a primitive peo- 
ple in their habits; and who, being a good deal addicted to 
subtleties and nice distinctions in their religious opinions, 
viewed the introduction of any such temporal assistance as 
form, into their spiritual worship, not only with jealousy, 
but frequently with disgust. He had acquired much of his 
knowledge from studying the great book of human nature, 
as it lay open in the world; and, knowing how dangerous 
it was to contend with ignorance, uniformly endeavored to 
avoid dictating where his better reason taught him it was 
the most prudent to attempt to lead. His orthodoxy had no 
dependence on his cassock ; he could pray with fervor and 
with faith, if circumstances required it, without the assist- 
ance of his clerk; and he had even been known to preach 
a most evangelical sermon, in the winning manner of native 
eloquence, without the aid of a cambric handkerchief. 

In the present instance he yielded, in many places, to the 
prejudices of his congregation ; and when he had ended, 
there was not one of his new hearers who did not think the 
ceremonies less papal and offensive, and more conformant 
to his or her own notions of devout worship, than they had 
been led to expect from a service of forms. Eichard found 
in the divine, during the evening, a most powerful co-oper- 
ator in his religious schemes. In preaching, Mr. Grant 
endeavored to steer a middle course between the mystical 
doctrines of those sublimated creeds which daily involve 
their professors in the most absurd contradictions, and 
those fluent rules of moral government which would reduce 
the Saviour to a level with the teacher of a school of ethics. 
Doctrine it was necessary to preach, for nothing less would 
have satisfied the disputatious people who were his listeners, 
and who would have interpreted silence on his part, into a 


124 


THE PIONEERS. 


tacit acknowledgment of the superficial nature of his creed. 
We have already said that, among the endless variety of 
religious instructors, the settlers were accustomed to hear 
every denomination urge its own distinctive precepts ; and 
to have found one indifferent to this interesting subject, 
would have been destructive to his influence. But Mr. 
Grant so happily blended the universally received opinions 
of the Christian faith with the dogmas of his own church, 
that, although none were entirely exempt from the influ- 
ence of his reasons, very few took any alarm at the inno- 
vation. 

^^When we consider the great diversity of the human 
character, influenced as it is by education, by opportunity, 
and by the physical and moral conditions of the creature, 
my dear hearers,” he earnestly concluded, “it can excite 
no surprise, that creeds so very different in their tendencies 
should grow out of a religion, revealed, it is true, but whose 
revelations are obscured by the lapse of ages, and whose 
doctrines were, after the fashion of the countries in which 
they were first promulgated, frequently delivered in para- 
bles, and in a language abounding in metaphors, and loaded 
with figures. On points where the learned have, in purity 
of heart, been compelled to differ, the unlettered will neces- 
sarily be at variance. But, happily for us, my brethren, 
the fountain of divine love flows from a source too pure to 
admit of pollution in its course ; it extends, to those who 
drink of its vivifying waters, the peace of the righteous, 
and life everlasting; it endures through all time, and it 
pervades creation. If there be mystery in its workings, 
it is the mystery of a Divinity. With a clear knowledge of 
the nature, the might, and majesty of God, there might be 
conviction, but there could be no faith. If we are required 
to believe in doctrines that seem not in conformity with the 
deductions of human wisdom, let us never forget, that such 
is the mandate of a wisdom that is infinite. It is sufficient 
for us that enough is developed to point our path aright, 
and to direct our wandering steps to that portal which shall 
open on the light of an eternal day. Then, indeed, it may 
be humbly hoped that the film which has been spread by the 


THE PIONEERS. 


125 


subtleties of earthly arguments, will be dissipated by the 
spiritual light of heaven; and that our hour of probation, 
by the aid of divine grace, being once passed in triumph, 
will be followed by an eternity of intelligence, and endless 
ages of fruition. All that is now obscure shall become 
plain to our expanded faculties; and what to our present 
senses may seem irreconcilable to our limited notions of 
mercy, of justice, and of love, shall stand, irradiated 
by the light of truth, confessedly the suggestions of 
Omniscience, and the acts of an All-powerful Benevo- 
lence. 

“ What a lesson of humility, my brethren, might not each 
of us obtain from a review of His infant hours, and the 
recollection of his juvenile passions! How differently 
do the same acts of parental rigor appear, in the eyes of 
the suffering child, and of the chastened man ! When the 
sophist would supplant, with the wild theories of his worldly 
wisdom, the positive mandates of inspiration, let him re- 
member the expansion of his own feeble intellects, and 
pause — let him feel the wisdom of God in what is par- 
tially concealed, as well as in that which is revealed; — in 
short, let him substitute humility for pride of reason — let 
him have faith, and live! 

“The consideration of this subject is full of consolation, 
my hearers, and does not fail to bring with it lessons of 
humility and of profit, that, duly improved, would both 
chasten the heart and strengthen the feeble-minded man in 
his course. It is a blessed consolation to be able to lay the 
misdoubtings of our arrogant nature at the threshold of the 
dwelling-place of the Deity, from whence they shall be swept 
away, at the great opening of the portal, like the mists of 
the morning before the rising sun. It teaches us a lesson 
of humility by impressing us with the imperfection of 
human powers, and by warning us of the many weak points 
where we are open to the attacks of the great enemy of our 
race; it proves to us that we are in danger of being weak, 
when our vanity would fain soothe us into the belief that 
we are most strong; it forcibly points out to us the vain- 
glory of intellect, and shows us the vast difference between a 


126 


THE PIONEERS. 


saving faith and the corollaries of a philosophical theology, 
and it teaches us to reduce our self-examination to the test 
of good works. By good works must be understood the 
fruits of repentance, the chiefest of which is charity. 
Not that charity only, which causes us to help the needy 
and comfort the suffering, but that feeling of universal 
philanthropy, which, by teaching us to love, causes us to 
judge with lenity, all men; striking at the root of self- 
righteousness, and warning us to be sparing of our con- 
demnation of others, while our own salvation is not yet 
secure. 

“ The lesson of expediency, my brethren, which I would 
gather from the consideration of this subject, is most strongly 
inculcated by humility. On the leading and essential points 
of our faith, there is but little difference, among those classes 
of Christians who acknowledge the attributes of the Saviour, 
and depend on His mediation. But heresies have polluted 
every church, and schisms are the fruits of disputation. In 
order to arrest these dangers, and to insure the union of His 
followers, it would seem that Christ had established His 
visible church, and delegated the ministry. Wise and holy 
men, the fathers of our religion, have expended their labors 
in clearing what was revealed from the obscurities of lan- 
guage, and the results of their experience and researches 
have been embodied in the form of evangelical discipline. 
That this discipline must be salutary, is evident from the 
view of the weakness of human nature that we have already 
taken ; and that it may be profitable to us, and all who listen 
to its precepts and its liturgy, may God, in His infinite wis- 
dom, grant. — And now to,” etc. 

With this ingenious reference to his own forms and min- 
istry, Mr. Grant concluded the discourse. The most pro- 
found attention had been paid to the sermon during the 
whole of its delivery, although the prayers had not been 
received with so perfect a demonstration of respect. This 
was by no means an intended slight of that liturgy to which 
the divine alluded, but was the habit of a people who owed 
their very existence, as a distinct nation, to the doctrinal 
character of their ancestors. Sundry looks of private dis- 


THE PIONEERS. 


127 


satisfaction were exchanged between Hiram and one or two 
of the leading members of the conference, but the feeling 
went no further at that time; and the congregation, after 
receiving the blessing of Mr. Grant, dispersed in silence, 
and with great decorum. 


CHAPTER XII. 


Your creeds and dogmas of a learned church 
May build a fabric, fair with moral beauty ; 

But it would seem, that the strong hand of God 
Can, only, ’rase the devil from the heart. 

Duo. 

While the congregation was separating, Mr. Grant ap- 
proached the place where Elizabeth and her father were 
seated, leading the youthful female whom we hav,e men- 
tioned in the preceding chapter, and presented her as his 
daughter. Her reception was as cordial and frank as the 
manners of the country, and the value of good society, 
could render it; the two young women feeling, instantly, 
that they were necessary to the comfort of each other. 
The Judge, to whom the clergyman’s daughter was also 
a stranger, was pleased to find one who, from habits, sex, 
and years, could probably contribute largely to the pleas- 
ures of his own child, during her first privations, on her 
removal from the associations of a city to the solitude of 
Templeton; while Elizabeth, who had been forcibly struck 
with the sweetness and devotion of the youthful suppliant, 
removed the slight embarrassment of the timid stranger, 
by the ease of her own manners. They were at once 
acquainted; and, during the ten minutes that the ^‘acad- 
emy” was clearing, engagements were made between the 
young people, not only for the succeeding day, but they 
would probably have embraced in their arrangements half 
of the winter, had not the divine interrupted them, by 
saying — 

“ Gently, gently, my dear Miss Temple, or you will make 
my girl too dissipated. You forget that she is my house- 
keeper, and that my domestic affairs must remain unat- 

128 


THE PIONEERS. 


129 


tended to, should Louisa accept of half the kind offers 
you are so good as to make her.” 

“And why should they not be neglected entirely, sir?” 
interrupted Elizabeth. “There are but two of you; and 
certain I am that my father’s house will not only contain 
you both, but will open its doors spontaneously, to receive 
such guests. Society is a good, not to be rejected on 
account of cold forms, in this wilderness, sir; and I have 
often heard my father say, that hospitality is not a virtue 
in a new country, the favor being conferred by the guest.” 

“ The manner in which Judge Temple exercises its rights 
would confirm this opinion; but we must not trespass too 
freely. Doubt not that you will see us often, my child, par- 
ticularly, during the frequent visits that I shall be com- 
pelled to make to the distant parts of the country. But 
to obtain an infiuence with such a people,” he continued, 
glancing his eyes towards the few who were still lingering, 
curious observers of the interview, “ a clergyman must not 
awaken envy or distrust, by dwelling under so splendid a 
roof as that of Judge Temple.” 

“You like the roof, then, Mr. Grant,” cried Richard, 
who had been directing the extinguishment of the fires, 
and other little necessary duties, and who approached in 
time to hear the close of the divine’s speech. “ I am glad 
to find one man of taste at last. Here’s ’duke, now, pre- 
tends to call it by every abusive name he can invent; but 
though ’duke is a very tolerable judge, he is a very poor 
carpenter, let me tell him. Well, sir, well, I think we 
may say, without boasting, that the service was as well 
performed this evening as you often see; I think, quite as 
well as I ever knew it to be done in old Trinity, — that is, 
if we except the organ. But there is the schoolmaster 
leads the psalm with a very good air. I used to lead 
myself, but lafterly I have sung nothing but bass. There 
is a good deal of science to be shown in the bass, and it 
affords a fine opportunity to show off a full, deep voice. 
Benjamin, too, sings a good bass, though he is often out in 
the words. Did you CVQr hour Benjamin ^ing the Bay pf 
Biscay; O’?” 


130 


THE PIONEERS. 


“I believe he gave us part of it this evening/’ said 
Marmaduke, laughing. ‘‘There was, now and then, a fear- 
ful quaver in his voice, and it seems that Mr. Penguillan 
is like most others who do one thing particularly well ; he 
knows nothing else. He has, certainly, a wonderful par- 
tiality to one tune, and he has a prodigious self-confidence 
in that one, for he, delivers himself like a northwester 
sweeping across the lake. But come, gentlemen, our way 
is clear, and the sleigh waits. — Good evening, Mr. Grant. 
Good night, young lady — remember that you dine be- 
neath the Corinthian roof to-morrow, with Elizabeth.” 

The parties separated, Eichard holding a close disserta- 
tion with Mr. Le Quoi, as they descended the stairs, on the 
subject of psalmody, which he closed by a violent eulogium 
on the air of the “Bay of Biscay, O,” as particularly con- 
nected with his friend Benjamin’s execution. 

During the preceding dialogue, Mohegan retained his 
seat, with his head shrouded in his blanket, as seemingly 
inattentive to surrounding objects as the departing congre- 
gation was, itself, to the presence of the aged chief. Natty, 
also, continued on the log where he had first placed himself, 
with his head resting on one of his hands, while the other 
held the rifle, which was thrown carelessly across his lap. 
His countenance expressed uneasiness, and the occasional 
unquiet glances that he had thrown around him during the 
service, plainly indicated some unusual causes for unhappi- 
ness. His continuing seated was, however, out of respect 
to the Indian chief, to whom he paid the utmost deference 
on all occasions, although it was mingled with the rough 
manner of a hunter. 

The young companion of these two ancient inhabitants of 
the forest remained also, standing before the extinguished 
brands, probably from an unwillingness to depart without 
his comrades. The room was now deserted by all but this 
group, the divine, and his daughter. As the party from 
the mansion-house disappeared, John arose, and dropping 
the blanket from his head, he shook back the mass of black 
hair from his face, and approaching Mr. Grant, he extended 
his hand, and said solemnly — 


THE PIONEERS. 


131 


“Father, I thank yon. The words that have been said, 
since the rising moon, have gone upward, and the Great 
Spirit is glad. What you have told your children, they 
will remember, and be good.’’ He paused a moment, and 
then, elevating himself with the grandeur of an Indian 
chief, he added, — “ If Chingachgook lives to travel towards 
the setting sun, after his tribe, and the Great Spirit carries 
him over the lakes and mountains with the breath in his 
body, he will tell his people the good talk he has heard; 
and they will believe him ; for who can say that Mohegan 
has ever lied?” 

“ Let him place his dependence on the goodness of divine 
mercy,” said Mr. Grant, to whom the proud consciousness 
of the Indian sounded a little heterodox, “and it never will 
desert him. When the heart is filled with love to God, 
there is no room for sin. — But, young man, to you I owe 
not only an obligation, in common with those you saved 
this evening on the mountain, but my thanks, for your 
respectful and pious manner in assisting in the service at a 
most embarrassing moment. I should be happy to see you 
sometimes at my dwelling, when, perhaps, my conversation 
may strengthen you in the path which you appear to have 
chosen. It is so unusual to find one of your age and 
appearance, in these woods, at all acquainted with our 
holy liturgy, that it lessens at once the distance between 
us, and I feel that we are no longer strangers. You seem 
quite at home in the service : I did not perceive that you 
had even a book, although good Mr. J ones had laid several 
in different parts of the room.” 

“ It would be strange if I were ignorant of the service of 
our church, sir,” returned the youth modestly; “for I was 
baptized in its communion, and I have never yet attended 
public worship elsewhere. For me to use the forms of any 
other denomination, would be as singular as our own have 
proved to the people here this evening.” 

“You give me great pleasure, my dear sir,” cried the 
divine, seizing the other by the hand, and shaking it cord- 
ially. “ You will go home with me now — indeed you must 
— my child has yet to thank you for saving my life. I 


132 


THE PIONEERS. 


will listen to no apologies. This worthy Indian, and your 
friend, there, will accompany us. — Bless me ! to think 
that he has arrived at manhood in this country, without 
entering a dissenting ^ meeting-house ! 

^‘No, no,’’ interrupted the Leather-stocking, must 
away to the wigwam; there’s work there that mustn’t be 
forgotten for all your churchings and merry-makings. Let 
the lad go with you in welcome ; he is used to keeping com- 
pany with ministers, and talking of such matters; so is old 
John, who was christianized by the Moravians about the 
time of the old war. But I am a plain, unlarned man, that 
has sarved both the king and his country, in his day, ag’in 
the French and savages, but never so much as looked into 
a book, or larnt a letter of scholarship, in my born days. 
I’ve never seen the use of such in-door work, though I have 
lived to be partly bald, and in my time have killed two 
hundred beaver in a season, and that without counting the 
other game. If you mistrust what I am telling you, you 
can ask Chingachgook there, for I did it in the heart of the 
Delaware country, and the old man is knowing to the truth 
of every word I say.” 

‘‘I doubt not, my friend, that you have been both a 
valiant soldier and skilful hunter in your day,” said the 
divine ; “ but more is wanting to prepare you for that end 
which approaches. You may have heard the maxim, that 
^young men may die, but that old men must.^ ” 

I’m sure I never was so great a fool as to expect to live 
for ever,” said Natty, giving one of his silent laughs; ‘‘no 
man need do that, who trails the savages through the woods, 
as I have done, and lives, for the hot months, on the lake 
streams. I’ve a strong constitution, I must say that for 
myself, as is plain to be seen ; for I’ve drunk the Onondaga 
water a hundred times, while I’ve been watching the deer- 
licks, when the fever-an-agy seeds was to be seen in it as 
plain and as plenty as you can see the rattle-snakes on old 
Crumhorn. But then, I never expected to hold out for ever; 

1 The divines of the Protestant Episcopal church of the United States, 
commonly call other denominations Dissenters, though there never was an 
established church in their own country. 


THE PIONEERS. 


133 


though there’s them living who have seen the Garman flats 
a wilderness; ay! and them that’s lamed, and acquainted 
with religion, too; though you might look a week, now, 
and not find even the stump of a pine on them; and that’s 
a wood that lasts in the ground the better part of a hundred 
years after the tree is dead.” 

‘‘This is but time, my good friend,” returned Mr. Grant, 
who began to take an interest in the welfare of his new 
acquaintance, “ but I would have you prepare for eternity. 
It is incumbent on you to attend places of public worship, as 
I am pleased to see that you have done this evening. Would 
it not be heedless in you to start on a day’s toil of hard hunt- 
ing, and leave your ramrod and flint behind?” 

“It must be a young hand in the woods,” interrupted 
Natty, with another laugh, “that didn’t know how to dress 
a rod out of an ash sapling, or find a fire-stone in the moun- 
tains. No, no, I never expected to live for ever; but I 
see, times be altering in these mountains from what they 
was thirty years ago, or, for that matter, ten years. But 
might makes right, and the law is stronger than an old 
man, whether he is one that has much laming, or only one 
like me, that is better now at standing at the passes than in 
following the hounds, as I once used to could. Heigh-ho I 
I never know’d preaching come into a settlement but it 
made game scarce, and raised the price of gunpowder; and 
that’s a thing that’s not as easily made as a ramrod or an 
Indian flint.” 

The divine, perceiving that he had given his opponent an 
argument by his own unfortunate selection of a comparison, 
very prudently relinquished the controversy; although he 
was fully determined to resume it at a more happy moment. 
Bepeating his request to the young hunter, with great ear- 
nestness, the youth and the Indian consented to accompany 
him and his daughter to the dwelling that the care of Mr. 
Jones had provided for their temporary residence. Leather- 
stocking persevered in his intention of returning to the 
hut, and at the door of the building they separated. 

After following the course of one of the streets of the 
village a short distance, Mr. Grant, who led the way. 


184 


THE PIONEERS. 


turned into a field, througli a pair of open bars, and en- 
tered a footpath, of but sufficient width to admit one person 
to walk in it at a time. The moon had gained a height that 
enabled her to throw her rays perpendicularly on the valley ; 
and the distinct shadows of the party flitted along on the 
banks of the silver snow, like the presence of aerial figures, 
gliding to their appointed place of meeting. The night 
still continued intensely cold, although not a breath of wind 
was felt. The path was beaten so hard, that the gentle 
female who made one of the party, moved with ease along 
its windings; though the frost emitted a low creaking at 
the impression of even her light footsteps. 

The clergyman in his dark dress of broad-cloth, with his 
mild, benevolent countenance, occasionally turned towards 
his companions, expressing that look of subdued care which 
was its characteristic, presented the first object in this singu- 
lar group. Next to him moved the Indian, his hair falling 
about his face, his head uncovered, and the rest of his form 
concealed beneath his blanket. As his swarthy visage, with 
its muscles fixed in rigid composure, was seen under the 
light of the moon which struck his face obliquely, he 
seemed a picture of resigned old age on whom the storms of 
winter had beaten in vain for the greater part of a century ; 
but when, in turning his head, the rays fell directly on his 
dark, fiery eyes, they told a tale of passions unrestrained, 
and of thoughts free as air. The slight person of Miss 
Grant, which followed next, and which was but too thinly 
clad for the severity of the season, formed a marked con- 
trast to the wild attire and uneasy glances of the Delaware 
chief; and more than once during their walk, the young 
hunter, himself no insignificant figure in the group, was 
led to consider the difference in the human form, as the 
face of Mohegan, and the gentle countenance of Miss Grant, 
with eyes that rivalled the soft hue of the sky, met his view 
at the instant that each turned to throw a glance at the 
splendid orb which lighted their path. Their way, which 
led through fields that lay at some distance in the rear of the 
houses, was cheered by a conversation that flagged or became 
animated with the subject. The first to speak was the divine. 


THE PIONEERS. 


135 


“Keally,’’ he said, is so singular a circumstance to 
meet with one of your age, that has not been induced by 
idle curiosity to visit any other church than the one in 
which he has been educated, that I feel a strong curiosity 
to know the history of a life so fortunately regulated. Your 
education must have been excellent; as indeed is evident 
from your manners and language. Of which of the states 
are you a native, Mr. Edwards? for such, I believe, was 
the name that you gave Judge Temple.” 

“ Of this.” 

“ Of this ! I was at a loss to conjecture, from your dia- 
lect, which does not partake, particularly, of the peculiari- 
ties of any country with which I am acquainted. You have, 
then, resided much in the cities, for no other part of this 
country is so fortunate as to possess the constant enjoyment 
of our excellent liturgy.”' 

The young hunter smiled, as he listened to the divine 
while he so clearly betrayed from what part of the country 
he had come himself; but for reasons probably connected 
with his present situation, he made no answer. 

“I am delighted to meet with you, my young friend, for 
I think an ingenuous mind, such as I doubt not yours must 
be, will exhibit all the advantages of a settled doctrine and 
devout liturgy. You perceive how I was compelled to bend 
to the humors of my hearers this evening. Good Mr. Jones 
wished me to read the communion, and, in fact, all the 
morning service; but, happily, the canons do not require 
this of an evening. It would have wearied a new congre- 
gation: but to-morrow I purpose administering the sacra- 
ment. Do you commune, my young friend? ” 

“I believe not, sir,” returned the youth, with a little 
embarrassment, that was not at all diminished by Miss 
Grant’s pausing involuntarily, and turning her eyes on 
him in surprise — ‘‘1 fear that I am not qualified; I have 
never yet approached the altar ; neither would I wish to do 
it, while I find so much of the world clinging to my heart.” 

^‘Each must judge for himself,” said Mr. Grant; ‘‘though 
I should think that a youth who had never been blown about 
by the wind of false doctrines, and who has enjoyed the 


186 


THE PIONEERS. 


advantages of our liturgy for so many years in its purity, 
might safely come. Yet, sir, it is a solemn festival, which 
none should celebrate until there is reason to hope it is not 
mockery. I observed this evening, in your manner to J udge 
Temple, a resentment that bordered on one of the worst of 
human passions. We will cross this brook on the ice: it 
must bear us all, I think, in safety. Be careful not to 
slip, my child.’’ While speaking, he descended a little 
bank by the path, and crossed one of the small streams that 
poured their waters into the lake ; and, turning to see his 
daughter pass, observed that the youth had advanced, and 
was kindly directing her footsteps. When all were safely 
over, he moved up the opposite bank, and continued his 
discourse. — “ It was wrong, my dear sir, very wrong, to 
suffer such feelings to rise, under any circumstances, 
and especially in the present, where the evil was not in- 
tended:” 

“ There is good in the talk of my father, ” said Mohegan, 
stopping short, and causing those who were behind him to 
pause also ; it is the talk of Miquon. The white man may 
do as his fathers have told him; but the Wonng Eagle ’ has 
the blood of a Delaware chief in his veins : it is red, and 
the stain it makes can only be washed out with the blood of 
a Mingo.” 

Mr. Grant was surprised by the interruption of the 
Indian, and, stopping, faced the speaker. His mild feat- 
ures were confronted to the fierce and determined looks 
of the chief, and expressed the horror he felt at hearing 
such sentiments from one who professed the religion of his 
Saviour. Eaising his hands to a level with his head, he 
exclaimed — 

John, John! is this the religion that yon have learned 
from the Moravians? But no — I will not be so uncharitable 
as to suppose it. They are a pious, a gentle, and a mild 
people, and could never tolerate these passions. Listen to 
the language of the Redeemer — ‘But I say unto yon, love 
your enemies; bless them that curse yon; do good to them 
that hate you ; pray for them that despitefully use you and 
persecute you.’ — This is the command of God, John, and 


\ 






THE PIONEERS. 137 

without striving to cultivate such feelings, no man can see 
him.” 

The Indian heard the divine with attention ; the unusual 
fire of his eye gradually softened, and his muscles relaxed 
into their ordinary composure; but, slightly shaking his 
head, he motioned with dignity for Mr. Grant to resume 
his walk, and followed himself in silence. The agitation 
of the divine caused him to move with unusual rapidity 
along the deep path, and the Indian, without any apparent 
exertion, kept an equal pace ; but the young hunter observed 
the female to linger in her steps, until a trifling distance 
intervened between the two former and the latter. Struck 
by the circumstance, and not perceiving any new impedi- 
ment to retard her footsteps, the youth made a tender of 
his assistance. 

^‘You are fatigued. Miss Grant,” he said; “the snow 
yields to the foot, and you are unequal to the strides of us 
men. Step on the crust, I entreat you, and take the help 
of my arm. Yonder light is, I believe, the house of your 
father; but it seems yet at some distance.” 

“ I am quite equal to the walk,” returned a low tremulous 
voice; “but I am startled by the manner of that Indian. 
Oh! his eye was horrid, as he turned to the moon, in 
speaking to my father. But I forget, sir; he is your 
friend, and by his language may be your relative; and yet 
of you I do not feel afraid.” 

The young man stepped on the bank of snow, which 
firmly sustained his weight, and by a gentle effort induced 
his companion to follow. Drawing her arm through his 
own, he lifted his cap from his head, allowing the dark 
locks to flow in rich curls over his open brow, and walked 
by her side with an air of conscious pride, as if inviting an 
examination of his inmost thoughts. Louisa took but a 
furtive glance at his person, and moved quietly along, at a 
rate that was greatly quickened by the aid of his arm. 

“ You are but little acquainted with this peculiar people. 
Miss Grant,” he said, “or you would know that revenge 
is a virtue with an Indian. They are taught from infancy 
upwards, to believe it a duty never to allow an injury 


138 


THE PIONEERS. 


to pass unrevenged; and nothing but the stronger claims 
of hospitality can guard one against their resentments, 
where they have power,” 

^‘Surely, sir,” said Miss Grant, involuntarily withdraw- 
ing her arm from his, ^‘you have not been educated with 
such unholy sentiments.” 

It might be a sufficient answer to your excellent father, 
to say, that I was educated in the church,” he returned; 
“ but to you I will add, that I have been taught deep and 
practical lessons of forgiveness. I believe that, on this 
subject, I have but little cause to reproach myself; it shall 
be my endeavor that there yet be less.” 

While speaking, he stopped, and stood with his arm 
again proffered to her assistance. As he ended, she quietly 
accepted his offer, and they resumed their walk, 

Mr. Grant and Mohegan had reached the door of the for- 
mer’s residence, and stood waiting near its threshold for 
the arrival of their young companions. The former was 
earnestly occupied in endeavoring to correct, by his pre- 
cepts, the evil propensities that he had discovered in the 
Indian during their conversation, to which the latter lis- 
tened in profound, but respectful attention. On the arrival 
of the young hunter and the lady, they entered the building.* 
The house stood at some distance from the village, in the 
centre of a field, surrounded by stumps that were peering 
above the snow, bearing caps of pure white, nearly two feet 
in thickness. Not a tree nor a shrub was nigh it; but the 
house externally exhibited that cheerless, unfinished aspect 
which is so common to the hastily erected dwellings of a new 
country. The uninviting character of its outside was, how- 
ever, happily relieved by the exquisite neatness and com- 
fortable warmth within. 

They entered an apartment that was fitted as a parlor, 
though the large fire-place, with its culinary arrangements, 
betrayed the domestic uses to which it was occasionally 
applied. The bright blaze from the hearth rendered the 
light that proceeded from the candle Louisa produced, 
unnecessary; for the scanty furniture of the room was 
easily seen and examined by the former. The floor was 


THE PIONEERS. 


139 


covered in the centre by a carpet made of rags, a species 
of manufacture that was then, and yet continues to he, 
much in use in the interior ; while its edges, that were 
exposed to view, were of unspotted cleanliness. There was 
a trifling air of better life in a tea-table and work-stand, 
as well as in an old-fashioned mahogany book-case ; but the 
chairs, the dining-table, and the rest of the furniture, were 
of the plainest and cheapest construction. Against the walls 
were hung a few specimens of needle-work and drawing, the 
former executed with great neatness, though of somewhat 
equivocal merit in their designs, while the latter was strik- 
ingly deficient in both. 

One of the former represented a tomb, with a youthful 
female weeping over it, exhibiting a church with arched 
windows in the background. On the tomb were the 
names, with the dates of the births and deaths, of several 
individuals, all of whom bore the name of Grant. An 
extremely cursory glance at this record was sufficient to 
discover to the young hunter the domestic state of the 
divine. He there read, that he was a widower; and that 
the innocent and timid maiden, who had been his com- 
panion, was the only survivor of six children. The knowl- 
edge of the dependence which each of these meek Christians 
had on the other, for happiness, threw an additional charm 
around the gentle, but kind attentions, which the daughter 
paid to the father. 

These observations occurred while the party were seating 
themselves before the cheerful fire, during which time there 
was a suspension of discourse. But when each was com- 
fortably arranged, and Louisa, after laying aside a thin 
coat of faded silk, and a gipsy hat, that was more becoming 
to her modest, ingenuous countenance than appropriate to 
the season, had taken a chair between her father and the 
youth, the former resumed the conversation. 

‘‘I trust, my young friend,’’ he said, “that the education 
you have received has eradicated most of those revengeful 
principles which you may have inherited by descent, for I 
understand from the expressions of John, that you have 
some of the blood of the Delaware tribe. Do not mistake 


140 


THE PIONEERS. 


me, I beg, for it is not color, nor lineage, that constitutes 
merit ; and I know not that he who claims affinity to the 
proper owners of this soil has not the best right to tread 
these hills with the lightest conscience.^’ 

Mohegan turned solemnly to the speaker, and, with the 
peculiarly significant gestures of an Indian, he spoke. 

Father, you are not yet past the summer of life; your 
limbs are young. Go to the highest hill, and look around 
you. All that you see from the rising to the setting sun, 
from the head-waters of the great spring, to where the 
‘crooked river’ ^ is hid by the hills, is his. He has Dela- 
ware blood, and his right is strong. But the brother of 
Miquon is just : he will cut the country in two parts, as the 
river cuts the lowlands, and will say to the ‘Young Eagle,’ 
Child of the Delawares! take it — keep it — and be a chief 
in the land of your fathers.” 

“Never! ” exclaimed the young hunter, with a vehemence 
that destroyed the rapt attention Avith which the divine 
and his daughter were listening to the Indian. “The wolf 
of the forest is not more rapacious for his prey, than that 
man is greedy of gold ; and yet his glidings into Avealth are 
subtle as the movements of a serpent.” 

“Forbear, forbear, my son, forbear,” interrupted Mr. 
Grant. “These angry passions must be subdued. The 
accidental injury you have received from Judge Temple 
has heightened the sense of your hereditary wrongs. But 
remember that the one was unintentional, and that the 
other is the effect of political changes, which have, in their 
course, greatly lowered the pride of kings, and swept mighty 
nations from the face of the earth. Where now are the 
Philistines, who so often held the children of Israel in 
bondage? or that city of Babylon, which rioted in luxury 
and vice, and who styled herself the Queen of Nations in 
the drunkenness of her pride? Bemember the prayer of 
our holy litany, where we implore the Divine PoAver — 
‘that it may please Thee to forgive our enemies, persecut- 

1 The Susquehannah means crooked river; “hannah,” or hannock, 
meant “ river,” in many of the native dialects. Thus we find Rappahan- 
nock, as far south as Virginia. 


THE PIONEERS. 


141 


ors, and slanderers, and to turn their hearts.^ The sin of 
the wrongs which have been done to the natives is shared 
by Judge Temple only in common with a whole people, 
and your arm will speedily be restored to its strength.” 

This arm ! ” repeated the youth, pacing the floor in vio- 
lent agitation. “Think you, sir, that I believe the man a 
murderer? Oh, no! he is too wily, too cowardly for such 
a crime. But let him and his daughter riot in their 
wealth — a day of retribution will come. No, no, no,” 
he continued, as he trod the floor more calmly — “it is 
for Mohegan to suspect him of an intent to injure me : but 
the trifle is not worth a second thought.” 

He seated himself, and hid his face between his hands, as 
they rested on his knees. 

“ It is the hereditary violence of a native’s passion, my 
child,” said Mr. Grant in a low tone, to his affrighted 
daughter, who was clinging in terror to his arm. “He is 
mixed with the blood of the Indians, you have heard; and 
neither the refinements of education, nor the advantages of 
our excellent liturgy, have been able entirely to eradicate 
the evil. But care and time will do much for him yet.” 

Although the divine spoke in a low tone, yet what he 
uttered was heard by the youth, who raised his head, with 
a smile of indefinite expression, and spoke more calmly. 

“Be not alarmed. Miss Grant, at either the wildness of 
my manner or that of my dress. I have been carried away 
by passions that I should struggle to repress. I must 
attribute it with your father, to the blood in my veins, 
although I would not impeach my lineage willingly; for 
it is all that is left me to boast of. Yes! I am proud of 
my descent from a Delaware chief, who was a warrior that 
ennobled human nature. Old Mohegan was his friend, and 
will vouch for his virtues.” 

Mr. Grant here took up the discourse, and, finding the 
young man more calm, and the aged chief attentive, he 
entered into a full and theological discussion of the duty 
of forgiveness. The conversation lasted for more than an 
hour, when the visitors arose, and, after exchanging good 
wishes with their entertainers, they departed. At the door 


142 


THE PIONEERS. 


they separated, Mohegan taking the direct route to the vil- 
lage, while the youth moved towards the lake. The divine 
stood at the entrance of his dwelling, regarding the figure 
of the aged chief as it glided, at an astonishing gait for his 
years, along the deep path; his black, straight hair just 
visible over the bundle formed by his blanket, which was 
sometimes blended with the snow, under the silvery light 
of the njoon. Erom the rear of the house was a window 
that overlooked the lake; and here Louisa was found by 
her father, when he entered, gazing intently on some object 
in the direction of the eastern mountain. He approached 
the spot, and saw the figure of the young hunter, at the 
distance of half a mile, walking with prodigious steps 
across the wide fields of frozen snow that covered the ice, 
towards the point where he knew the hut inhabited by the 
Leather-stocking was situated on the margin of the lake, 
under a rock that was crowned by pines and hemlocks. 

At the next instant, the wildly looking form entered the 
shadow cast from the overhanging trees, and was lost to 
view. 

“ It is marvellous how long the propensities of the savage 
continue in that remarkable race,” said the good divine; 
‘‘but if he persevere as he has commenced, his triumph 
shall yet be complete. Put me in mind, Louisa, to lend 
him the homily ‘against peril of idolatry,’ at his next 
visit.” 

“ Surely, father, you do not think him in danger of relaps- 
ing into the worship of his ancestors! ” 

“No, my child,” returned the clergyman, laying his hand 
affectionately on her flaxen locks, and smiling; “his white 
blood would prevent it; but there is such a thing as the 
idolatry of our passions.” 


CHAPTEE XIII. 


And I’ll drink out of the quart pot, — 

Here’s a health to the barley mow. 

Drinking Song. 

On one of the corners, where the two principal streets of 
Templeton intersected each other, stood, as we have already 
mentioned, the inn called the “Bold Dragoon.” In the 
original plan, it was ordained that the village should stretch 
along the little stream that rushed down the valley; and 
the street which led from the lake to the academy was 
intended to be its western boundary. But convenience 
frequently frustrates the best-regulated plans. The house 
of Mr., or as, in consequence of commanding the militia of 
that vicinity, he was called. Captain Hollister, had, at an 
early day, been erected directly facing the main street, and 
ostensibly interposed a barrier to its further progress. 
Horsemen, and subsequently teamsters, however, availed 
themselves of an opening, at the end of the building, to 
shorten their passage westward, until, in time, the regular 
highway was laid out along this course, and houses were 
gradually built on either side, so as effectually to prevent 
any subsequent correction of the evil. 

Two material consequences followed this change in the 
regular plans of Marmaduke. The main street, after run- 
ning about half its length, was suddenly reduced to pre- 
cisely that difference in its width; and the “ Bold Dragoon ” 
became, next to the mansion-house, by far the most con- 
spicuous edifice in the place. 

This conspicuousness, aided by the characters of the host 
and hostess, gave the tavern an advantage over all its future 
competitors, that no circumstances could conquer. An effort 
was, however, made to do so; and at the corner diagonally 

143 


144 


THE PIONl^RS. 


opposite, stood a new building that was intended, by its 
occupants, to look down all opposition. It was a house of 
wood, ornamented in the prevailing style of architecture, 
and, about the roof and balustrades, was one of the three 
imitators of the mansion-house. The upper windows were 
filled with rough boards secured by nails, to keep out the 
cold air — for the edifice was far from finished, although 
glass was to be seen in the lower apartments, and the light 
of the powerful fires within denoted that it was already 
inhabited. The exterior was painted white on the front, 
and on the end which was exposed to the street; but in the 
rear, and on the side which was intended to join the neigh- 
boring house, it was coarsely smeared with Spanish brown. 
Before the door stood two lofty posts, connected at the top 
by a beam, from which was suspended an enormous sign, 
ornamented around its edges with certain curious carvings in 
pine boards, and on its faces loaded with masonic emblems. 
Over these mysterious figures was written, in large letters, 
^‘The Templeton Coffee-House, and Travellers’ Hotel,” and 
beneath them, ‘‘By Habakkuk Foote and Joshua Knapp.” 
This was a fearful rival to the “Bold Dragoon,” as our 
reMers will the more readily perceive, when we add that 
the same sonorous names were to be seen over the door of a 
newly erected store in the village, a hatter’s shop, and the 
gates of a tan-yard. But, either because too much was at- 
tempted to be executed well, or that the “ Bold Dragoon ” had 
established a reputation which could not be easily shaken, 
not only Judge Temple and his friends, but most of the 
villagers also, who were not in debt to the powerful firm 
we have named, frequented the inn of Captain Hollister, 
on all occasions where such a house was necessary. 

On the present evening the limping veteran and his con- 
sort were hardly housed after their return from the academy, 
when the sounds of stamping at their threshold an- 
nounced the approach of visitors, who were probably assem- 
bling with a view to compare opinions on the subject of the 
ceremonies they had witnessed. 

The public, or as it was called, the “bar-room,” of the 
“Bold Dragoon,” was a spacious apartment, lined on three 


THE PIONEERS. 


145 


sides with benches, and on the fourth by fire-places. Of 
the latter there were two of such size as to occupy, with 
their enormous jambs, the whole of that side of the apart- 
ment where they were placed, excepting room enough for a 
door or two, and a little apartment in one corner, which was 
protected by miniature palisadoes, and profusely garnished 
with bottles and glasses. In the entrance to this sanctuary, 
Mrs. Hollister was seated, with great gravity in her air, 
while her husband occupied himself with stirring the fires, 
moving the logs with a large stake burnt to a point at one 
end. 

“There, Sergeant, dear,” said the landlady, after she 
thought the veteran had got the logs arranged in the most 
judicious manner, “give over poking, for it’s no good ye’ll 
be doing, now that they burn so convaniently. There’s the 
glasses on the table there, and the mug that the Doctor was 
taking his cider and ginger in, before the fire here — just 
put them in the bar, will ye? for we’ll be having the 
Jooge, and the Major, and Mr. Jones down the night, with- 
out reckoning Benjamin Poomp, and the lawyers : so ye’ll 
be fixing the room tidy ; and put both flip irons in the coals ; 
and tell Jude, the lazy black baste, that if she’s no be 
claneing up the kitchen I’ll turn her out of the house, and 
she may live wid the jontlemen that kape the ‘coffee-house,’ 
good luck to ’em. Och! Sergeant, sure it’s a great priv- 
ilege to go to a mateing where a body can sit asy, widout 
joomping up and down so often, as this Mr. Grant is doing 
that same.” 

“It’s a privilege at all times, Mrs. Hollister, whether we 
stand or be seated; or, as good Mr. Whitefield used to do 
after he had made a wearisome day’s march, get on our knees 
and pray, like Moses of old, with a flanker to the right and 
left, to lift his hands to heaven,” returned her husband, 
who composedly perforntg^^hat she had directed to be done. 
“ It was a very pretty fight, Betty, that the Israelites had 
on that day with the Amalekites. It seems that they font 
on a plain, for Moses is mentioned as having gone onto the 
heights to overlook the battle, and wrestle in prayer; and 
if I should judge, with my little laming, the Israelites 


146 


THE PIONEERS. 


depended mainly on their horse, for it is written that 
Joshua cut up the enemy with the edge of the sword; from 
which I infer, not only that they were horse, but well dis- 
ciplyn’d troops. Indeed, it says as much as that they were 
chosen men; quite likely volunteers; for raw dragoons sel- 
dom strike with the edge of their swords, particularly if the 
weapon be any way crooked.’’ 

Pshaw! why do ye bother yourself wid taxts, man, 
about so small a matter, ” interrupted the landlady ; sure, 
it was the Lord who was with ’em; for He always sided wid 
the Jews, before they fell away; and it’s but little matter 
what kind of men Joshua commanded, so that he was doing 
the right bidding. Aven them cursed millaishy, the Lord 
forgive me for swearing, that was the death of him, wid their 
cowardice, would have carried the day in old times. There’s 
no rason to be thinking that the soldiers were used to the 
drill.” 

“I must say, Mrs. Hollister, that I have not often seen 
raw troops fight better than the left flank of the militia, at 
the time you mention. They rallied handsomely, and that 
without beat of drum, which is no easy thing to do under 
fire, and were very steady till he fell. But the Scriptures 
contain no unnecessary words; and I will maintain that 
horse, who know how to strike with the edge of the sword, 
must be well disciplyn’d. Many a good sarmon has been 
preached about smaller matters than that one word! If the 
text was not meant to be particular, why wasn’t it written 
with the sword, and not with the edge? Now, a back- 
handed stroke, on the edge, takes long practice. Good- 
ness! what an argument would Mr. AVhitefield make of 
that word edge ! As to the Captain, if he had only called 
up the guard of dragoons when he rallied the foot, they 
would have shown the inimy what the edge of a sword 
was; for, although there was.no cdmiiissioned officer with 
them, yet I think I may say,” the veteran continued, stif- 
fening his cravat about the throat, and raising himself up 
with the air of a drill-sergeant, ^Ghey were led by a man 
who know’d how to bring them on, in spite of the ravine.” 

“Is it lade on ye would,” cried the landlady, “when ye 


THE PIONEERS. 


147 


know yourself, Mr. Hollister, that the baste he rode was 
but little able to joomp from one rock to another, and the 
animal was as spry as a squirrel? Och! but it’s useless to 
talk, for he’s gone this many a year. I would that he had 
lived to see the true light; but there’s mercy for a brave 
sowl, that died in the saddle, fighting for the liberty. It 
is a poor tombstone they have given him, any way, and 
many a good one that died like himself; but the sign is 
very like, and I will be kapeing it up, while the blacksmith 
can make a hook for it to swing on, for all the ^coffee- 
houses’ betwane this and Albany.” 

There is no saying where this desultory conversation 
would have led the worthy couple, had not the men, who 
were stamping the snow off their feet, on the little plat- 
form before the door, suddenly ceased their occupation, 
and entered the bar-room. 

For ten or fifteen minutes, the different individuals, who 
intended either to bestow or receive edification, before the 
fires of the “Bold Dragoon,” on that evening, were collect- 
ing, until the benches were nearly filled with men of differ- 
ent occupations. Dr. Todd and a slovenly-looking, shabby- 
genteel young man, who took tobacco profusely, wore a coat 
of imported cloth, cut with something like a fashionable air, 
frequently exhibited a large French silver watch, with a 
chain of woven hair and a silver key, and who, altogether, 
seemed as much above the artisans around him as he was 
himself inferior to the real gentleman, occupied a high-back 
wooden settee, in the most comfortable corner in the apart- 
ment. 

Sundry brown mugs, containing cider or beer, were 
placed between the heavy andirons, and little groups were 
formed among the guests, as subjects arose, or the liquor 
was passed from one to the other. No man was seen to 
drink by himself, nor in any instance was more than one 
vessel considered necessary for the same beverage; but the 
glass, or the mug, was passed from hand to hand, until a 
chasm in the line, or a regard to the rights of ownership, 
would regularly restore the dregs of the potation to him 
who defrayed the cost. 


148 


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Toasts were uniformly drunk; and, occasionally, some 
one, who conceived himself peculiarly endowed by nature 
to shine in the way of wit, would attempt some such sen- 
timent as ^‘hoping that he” who treated, might make a 
better man than his father ” ; or, “ live till all his friends 
wished him dead ” ; while the more humble pot-companion 
contented himself by saying, with a most imposing gravity 
in his ai]^, ‘‘come, here’s luck,” or by expressing some 
other equally comprehensive desire. In every instance, 
the veteran landlord was requested to imitate the custom 
of the cupbearers to kings, and taste the liquor he pre- 
sented, by the invitation of “after you is manners,” with 
which request he ordinarily complied, by wetting his lips, 
first expressing the wish of “here’s hoping,” leaving it to 
the imagination of the hearers to fill the vacuum by what- 
ever good each thought most desirable. During these 
movements, the landlady was busily occupied with mixing 
the various compounds required by her customers, with her 
own hands, and occasionally exchanging greetings and in- 
quiries concerning the conditions of their respective fami- 
lies, with such of the villagers as approached the bar. 

At length the common thirst being in some measure 
assuaged, conversation of a more general nature became 
the order of the hour. The physician, and his companion, 
who was one of the two lawyers of the village, being con- 
sidered the best qualified to maintain a public discourse 
with credit, were the principal speakers, though a remark 
was hazarded, now and then, by Mr. Doolittle, who was 
thought to be their inferior only in the enviable point of 
education. A general silence was produced on all but the 
two speakers, by the following observation from the prac- 
titioner of the law : 

“So, Dr. Todd, I understand that you have been perform- 
ing an important operation, this evening,* by cutting a charge 
of buckshot from the shoulder of the son of Leather-stock- 
ing ? ” 

“Yes, sir,” returned the other, elevating his little head 
with an air of importance ; “ I had a small job up at the 
Judge’s in that way; it was, however, but a trifle to what 


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149 


it might have been, had it gone through the body. The 
shoulder is not a very vital part; and I think the young 
man will soon be well. But I did not know that the 
patient was a son of Leather-stocking: it is news to me 
to hear that Natty had a wife.^’ 

“It is by no means a necessary consequence,” returned 
the other, winking, with a shrewd look around the bar- 
room; “there is such a thing, I suppose you know, in 
law, as a ^ films nullius.^” 

“Spake it out, man,” exclaimed the landlady; “spake it 
out in king’s English; what for should ye be talking Indian 
in a room full of Christian folks, though it is about a poor 
hunter, who is but a little better in his ways than the wild 
savages themselves? Och! it’s to be hoped that the mis- 
sionaries will, in his own time, make a convarsion of the 
poor divils ; and then it will matter little of what color is 
the skin, or wedder there be wool or hair on the head.” 

“Oh! it is Latin, not Indian, Miss Hollister,” returned 
the lawyer, repeating his winks and shrewd looks; “and 
Dr. Todd understands Latin, or how would he read the 
labels on his gallipots and drawers? No, no. Miss Hol- 
lister, the Doctor understands me; don’t you. Doctor?” 

“Hem, — why I guess I am not far out of the way,” 
returned Elnathan, endeavoring to imitate the expression 
of the other’s countenance, by looking jocular. “Latin is 
a queer language, gentlemen; now I rather guess there is 
no one in the room except Squire Lippet, who can believe 
that ‘Far. Av.’ means oatmeal, in English.” 

The lawyer in his turn was a good deal embarrassed by 
this display of learning; for, although he actually had 
taken his first degree at one of the eastern universities, he 
was somewhat puzzled with the terms used by his com- 
panion. It was dangerous, however, to appear to be out- 
done in learning in a public bar-room, and before so many 
of his clients; he therefore put the best face on the matter, 
and laughed knowingly, as if there were a good joke con- 
cealed under it, that was understood only by the physician 
and himself. All this was attentively observed by the 
listeners, who exchanged looks of approbation; and the 


150 


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expression of ^^tonguey man/’ and “I guess Squire Lippet 
knows, if anybody doos, ” were heard in different parts of the 
room, as vouchers for the admiration of his auditors. Thus 
encouraged, the lawyer rose from his chair, and turning his 
back to the fire, and facing the company, he continued — 
‘‘The son of Natty, or the son of nobody, I hope the 
young man is not going to let the matter drop. This is 
a country of laws ; and I should like to see it fairly tried, 
whether a man who owns, or says he owns, a hundred 
thousand acres of land, has any more right to shoot a 
body than another. What do you think of it. Dr. Todd? ” 
“ Oh ! sir, I am of opinion that the gentleman will soon 
be well, as I said before ; the wound isn’t in a vital part ; 
and as the ball was extracted so soon, and the shoulder was 
what I call well attended to, I do not think there is as much 
Manger as there might have been.” 

“I say. Squire Doolittle,” continued the attorney, raising 
his voice, “ you are a magistrate, and know what is law, and 
what is not law. I ask you, sir, if shooting a man is a thing 
that is to be settled so very easily? Suppose, sir, that the 
young man had a wife and family ; and suppose that he was 
a mechanic like yourself, sir; and suppose that his family 
depended on him for bread ; and suppose that the ball, 
instead of merely going through the flesh, had broken the 
shoulder-blade, and crippled him for ever; I ask you all, 
gentlemen, supposing this to be the case, whether a jury 
wouldn’t give what I call handsome damages? ” 

• As the close of this supposititious case was addressed to 
the company generally, Hiram did not, at first, consider 
himself called on for a reply; but finding the eyes of the 
listeners bent on him in expectation, he remembered his 
character for judicial discrimination, and spoke, observing 
a due degree of deliberation and dignity. ^ 

“Why, if a man should shoot another,” he said, “and if 
he should do it on purpose, and if the law took notice on’t, 
and if a jury should find him guilty, it would be likely to 
turn out a state-prison matter.” 

“It would so, sir,” returned the attorney. “The law, 
gentlemen, is no respecter of persons in a free country. It 


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151 


is one of the great blessings that has been handed down to 
ns from our ancestors, that all men are equal in the eye of 
the. law as they are by nater. Though some may get prop- 
erty, no one knows how, yet they are not privileged to 
transgress the laws any more than the poorest citizen in 
the state. This is my notion, gentlemen ; and I think that 
if a man had a mind to bring this matter up, something 
might be made out of it that would help pay for the salve 
— ha! Doctor?’^ 

“Why, sir,” returned the physician, who appeared a 
little uneasy at the turn the conversation was taking, “I 
have the promise of Judge Temple before men — not but 
what I would take his word as soon as his note of hand — 
but it was before men. Let me see — there was Mounshier 
Ler Quow, and Squire Jones, and Major Hartmann, and 
Miss Pettibone, and one or two of the blacks by, when he 
said that his pocket would amply reward me for what I 
did.” 

“ Was the promise made before or after the service was 
performed? ” asked the attorney. 

“It might have been both,” returned the discreet physi- 
cian; “though I^m certain he said so before I undertook 
the dressing.” 

“But it seems that he said his pocket should reward 
you, Doctor,” observed Hiram. “Now I donT know that 
the law will hold a man to such a promise ; he might give 
you his pocket with sixpence iuT, and tell you to take your 
pay out onT.” 

“That would not be a reward in the eye of the law,” 
interrupted the attorney — “not what is called a ‘quid pro 
quo ^ ; nor is the pocket to be considered as an agent, but as 
part of a man^s own person, that is, in this particular. I 
am of opinion that an action would lie on that promise, 
and I will undertake to bear him out, free of costs, if he 
donT recover.” 

To this proposition the physician made no reply; but he 
was observed to cast his eyes around him, as if to enumer- 
ate the witnesses, in order to substantiate this promise also, 
at a future day, should it prove necessary. A subject so 


152 


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momentous as that of ’suing Judge Temple was not very- 
palatable to the present company in so public a place ; and 
a short silence ensued, that was only interrupted by the 
opening of the door, and the entrance of Natty himself. 

The old hunter carried in his hand his never failing 
companion, the rifle ; and although all of the company were 
uncovered excepting the lawyer, who wore his hat on one 
side, with a certain dam^me air. Natty moved to the front 
of -one of the fires, without in the least altering any part of 
his dress or appearance. Several questions were addressed 
to him, on the subject of the game he had killed, which he 
answered readily, and with some little interest ; and the 
landlord, between whom and Natty there existed much 
cordiality, on account of their both having been soldiers 
in youth, offered him a glass of a liquid, which, if we might 
judge from its reception, was no unwelcome guest. When 
the forester had got his potation also, he quietly took his 
seat on the end of one of the logs that lay nigh the fires, and 
the slight interruption produced by his entrance seemed to 
be forgotten. 

“The testimony of the blacks could not be taken, sir,” 
continued the lawyer, “ for they are all the property of Mr. 
Jones, who owns their time. But there is a way by which 
Judge Temple, or any other man, might be made to pay for 
shooting another, and for the cure in the bargain. There 
is a way, I say, and that without going into the ‘court of 
errors,’ too.” 

“ And a mighty big error ye would make of it. Mister 
Todd,” cried the landlady, “should ye be putting the 
matter into the law at all, with Jooge Temple, who has 
a purse as long as one of them pines on the hill, and who 
is an asy man to dale wid, if yees but mind the humor of 
him. He’s a good man is Jooge Temple, and a kind one, 
and one who will be no the likelier to do the pratty thing, 
becase ye would wish to tarrify him wid the law. I know 
of but one objaction to the same, which is an over-careless- 
ness about his sowl. It’s neither a Methodie, nor a Papish, 
nor Prasbetyrian, that he is, but just nothing at all; and 
it’s hard to think that he, ‘who will not fight the good fight, 


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153 


under the banners of a rig’lar churchy in this world, will 
be mustered among the chosen in heaven, ^ as my husband, 
the Captain there, as ye call him, says — though there is 
but one captain that I know, who desaarves the name. I 
hopes Lather-stocking, ye’ll no be foolish, and putting the 
boy up to try the law in the matter; for ’twill be an evil 
day to ye both, when ye first turn the skin of so paceable 
an animal as a sheep into a bone of cotitention. The lad is 
wilcome to his drink for nothing, until his shoulther will 
bear the rifie ag’in.” 

^‘Well, that’s gin’rous,” was heard from several mouths 
at once, for this was a company in which a liberal offer was 
not thrown away ; while the hunter, instead of expressing 
any of that indignation which he might be supposed to feel, 
at hearing the hurt of his young companion alluded to, 
opened his mouth, with the silent laugh for which he was 
so remarkable; and after he had indulged his humor, made 
this reply: ^ 

know’d the Judge would do nothing with his smooth- 
bore when he got out of his sleigh. I never saw but one 
smooth-bore that would carry at all, and that was a French 
ducking-piece, upon the big lakes: it had a barrel half as 
long ag’in as my rifle, and would throw fine shot into a goose 
at one hundred yards; but it made dreadful work with the 
game, and you wanted a boat to carry it about in. When I 
went with Sir William ag’in the French, at Fort Niagara, 
all the rangers used the rifle; and a dreadful weapon it is, 
in the hands of one who knows how to charge it, and keep 
a steady aim. The Captain knows, for he says he was a 
soldier in Shirley’s; and though they were nothing but 
baggonet-men, he must know how we cut up the French 
and Iroquois in the skrimmages in that war. Chingach- 
gook, which means CBig Sarpent’ in English, old John 
Mohegan, who lives up at the hut with me, was a great 
warrior then, and was out with us ; he can tell all about it, 
too; though he was overhand for the tomahawk, never 
firing more than once or twice, before he was running in 
for the scalps. Ah! times is dreadfully altered since then. 
Why, Doctor, there was nothing but a footpath, or at the 


154 


THE PIONEERS. 


most a track for pack-horses, along the Mohawk, from the 
Jarman Flats up to the forts. Now, they say, they talk of 
running one of them wide roads with gates on it along the 
river; first making a road, and then fencing it up! I 
hunted one season back of the Kaatskills, nigh-hand to the 
settlements, and the dogs often lost the scent, when they 
came to them highways, there was so much travel on them ; 
though I can’t say that the brutes was of a very good breed. 
Old Hector will wind a deer in the fall of the year, across 
the broadest place in the Otsego, and that is a mile and a 
half, for I paced it myself on the ice, when the tract was 
first surveyed, under the Indian grant.” 

It sames to me. Natty, but a sorry compliment, to call 
your comrad after the evil one,” said the landlady; ‘^and 
it’s no much like a snake that old John is looking now. 
Nimrod would be a more besameing name for the lad, and 
a more Christian, too, seeing that it comes from the Bible. 
The sergeant read me the chapter about him, the night be- 
fore my christening, and a mighty asement it was, to listen 
to anything from the book.” 

“Old John and Chingachgook were very different men to 
look on,” returned the hunter, shaking his head at his mel- 
ancholy recollections. “In the ‘fifty-eighth war’ he was 
in the middle of manhood, and taller than now by three 
inches. If you had seen him, as I did, the morning we 
beat Dieskau, from behind our log walls, you would have 
called him as comely a red-skin as ye ever set eyes on. He 
was naked all to his breech-cloth and leggins ; and you 
never seed a creater so handsomely painted. One side of 
his face was red, and the other black. His head was 
shaved clean, all to a few hairs on the crown, where he 
wore a tuft of eagle’s feathers, as bright as if they had 
come from a peacock’s tail. He had colored his sides so that 
they looked like an atomy, ribs and all ; for Chingachgook 
had a great taste in such things; so that, what with his 
bold, fiery countenance, his knife, and his tomahawk, I 
have never seen a fiercer warrior on the ground. He 
played his part, too, like a man; for I saw him next day, 
with thirteen scalps on his pole. And I will say this for 


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155 


the ^ Big Snake, ’ that he always dealt fair, and never scalped 
any that he didn’t kill with his own hands.” 

‘‘Well, well,” cried the landlady; “fighting is fighting, 
anyway, and there is different fashions in the thing; though 
I can’t say that I relish mangling a body after the breath is 
out of it; neither do I think it can be uphild by doctrine. 
I hope, sergeant, ye niver was helping in sich evil worrek.” 

“ It was my duty to keep my ranks, and to stand or fall 
by the baggonet or lead,” returned the veteran. “I was 
then in the fort, and seldom leaving my place, saw but 
little of the savages, who kept on the flanks or in front, 
skrimmaging. I remember, howsomever, to have heard 
mention made of the ‘Great Snake,’ as he was called, for 
he was a chief of renown; but little did I ever expect to 
see him enlisted in the cause of Christianity, and civilized 
like old John.” 

“Oh! he was Christianized by the Moravians, who were 
always over-intimate with the Delawares,” said Leather- 
stocking. “It’s my opinion that, had they been left to 
themselves, there would be no such doings now, about the 
head-waters of the two rivers, and that these hills mought 
have been kept as good hunting-ground by their right 
owner, who is not too old to carry a rifle, and whose sight 
is as true as a fish-hawk hovering — ” 

He was interrupted by more stamping at the door, and 
presently the party from the mansion-house entered, fol- 
lowed by the Indian himself. 


CHAPTER XIV. 


There’s quart-pot, pint-pot, half-pint, 

Gill-pot, half-gill, nipperkin. 

And the brown bowl — 

Here’s a health to the barley mow, 

My brave boys, 

Here’s a health to the barley mow> 

Drinking Song. 

Some little commotion was produced by the appearance 
of the new guests, during which the lawyer slunk from the 
room. Most of the men approached Marmaduke, and shook 
his offered hand, hoping that the Judge was well ” ; while 
Major Hartmann, having laid aside his hat and wig, and 
substituted for the latter a warm, peaked woollen night-cap, 
took his seat very quietly on one end of the settee, which 
was relinquished by its former occupants. His tobacco-box 
was next produced, and a clean pipe was handed him by the 
landlord. When he had succeeded in raising a smoke, the 
Major gave a long whiff, and turning his head towards 
the bar, he said — 

“ Petty, pring in ter toddy.’’ 

In the meantime the Judge had exchanged his salutations 
with most of the company, and taken a place by the side of 
the Major, and Richard had bustled himself into the most 
comfortable seat in the room. Mr. Le Quoi was the last 
seated, nor did he venture to place his chair finally, until by 
frequent removals he had ascertained that he could not pos- 
sibly intercept a ray of heat from any individual present. 
Mohegan found a place on an end of one of the benches, and 
somewhat approximated to the bar. When these movements 
had subsided, the Judge remarked pleasantly — 

^WVell, Betty, I find you retain your popularity through 
all weathers, against all rivals, and among all religions. 
How liked you the sermon?” 

156 


THE PIONEERS. 


157 


Is it the sarmon ? ’’ exclaimed the landlady. I can’t 
say bnt it was rasonable ; bnt the prayers is mighty unasy. 
It’s no small a matter for a body in their fifty-nint’ year, to 
be moving so much in church. Mr. Grant sames a godly 
man, anyway, and his garrel is a hoomble one, and a devout. 
— Here, John, is a mug of cider, laced with whiskey. An 
Indian will drink cider, though he niver be athirst.” 

^‘I must say,” observed Hiram, with due deliberation, 
that it was a tonguey thing ; and I rather guess that it 
gave considerable satisfaction. There was one part, though, 
which might have been left out, or something else put in ; 
but then I s’pose that, as it was a written discourse, it is 
not so easily altered as where a minister preaches without 
notes.” 

. ‘‘Aj ! there’s the rub, Jooge,” cried the landlady. ^^How 
can a man stand up and be praching his word, when all that 
he is saying is written down, and he is as much tied to it as 
iver a thaving dragoon was to the pickets ? ” 

‘^Well, well,” cried Marmaduke, waving his hand for 
silence, “ there is enough said ; as Mr. Grant told us, there 
are different sentiments on such subjects, and in my opinion 
he spoke most sensibly. So, Jotham, I am told you have 
sold your betterments to a new settler, and have moved into 
the village, and opened a school. Was it cash or dicker ? ” 
The man who was thus addressed occupied a seat imme- 
diately behind Marmaduke ; and one who was ignorant of 
the extent of the Judge’s observation, might have thought 
he would have escaped notice. He was of a thin, shapeless 
figure, with a discontented expression of countenance, and 
with something extremely shiftless in his whole air. Thus 
spoken to, after turning and twisting a little, by way of 
preparation, he made a reply. 

. Why, part cash, and part dicker. I sold out to a Pum- 
fret man who was so’thin forehanded. He was to give me 
ten dollars an acre for the clearin’, and one dollar an acre 
over the first cost, on the woodland ; and we agreed to leave 
the buildin’s to men. So I tuck Asa Montagu, and he tuck 
Absalom. Bement, and they two tuck old Squire Hapthali 
Green. And so they had a meetin’, and made out a vardict 


158 


THE PIONEERS. 


of eighty dollars for the buildin’s. There was twelve acres 
of clearin’, at ten dollars, and eighty-eight at one, and the 
whnll came to two hundred and eighty-six dollars and a half, 
after paying the men.” 

‘^Hum,” said Marmaduke: ^^what did you give for the 
place ? ” 

^^Why, besides what’s cornin’ to the Judge, I gi’n my 
brother Tim a hundred dollars for his bargain; but then 
there’s a new house on’t, that cost me sixty more, and I paid 
Moses a hundred dollars, for choppin’, and loggin’, and 
sowin’ ; so that the whull stood me in about two hundred 
and sixty dollars. But then I had a great crop off on’t, and 
as I got twenty-six dollars and a half more than it cost, I 
conclude I made a pretty good trade on’t.” 

Yes, but you forgot that the crop was yours without the 
trade, and you have turned yourself out of doors for twenty- 
six dollars.” 

^^Oh! the Judge is clean out,” said the man, with a look 
of sagacious calculation ; he turned out a span of horses, 
that is wuth a hundred and fifty dollars of any man’s money^ 
with a bran new wagon ; fifty dollars in cash ; and a good 
note for eighty more ; and a sidesaddle that was valued at 
seven and a half — so there was jist twelve shillings betwixt 
us. I wanted him to turn out a set of harness, and take 
the cow and the sap troughs. He wouldn’t — but I saw 
through it; he thought I should have to buy the tacklin' 
afore I could use the wagon and horses ; but I know’d a 
thing or two myself ; I. should like to know of what use is 
the tacklin’ to him ! I offered him to trade back ag’in, for 
one hundred and fifty-five. But my woman said she wanted 
a churn, so I tuck a churn for the change.” 

And what do you mean to do with your time this win- 
ter ? you must remember that time is money.” 

^^Why, as the master is gone down country to see his 
mother, who, they say, is going to make a die on’t, I agreed 
to take the school in hand till he comes back. If times 
doesn’t get worse in the spring, I’ve some notion of going 
into trade, or maybe I may move off to the Genesee ; they 
say they are carry in’ on a great stroke of business thata- 


THE PIONEERS. 159 

I way. If the wust comes to the wust, I can but work at my 
trade, for I was brought up in a shoe manufactory.^’ 

It would seem that Marmaduke did not think his society 
of sufficient value to attempt inducing him to remain where 
he was ; for he addressed no further discourse to the man, 
but turned his attention to other subjects. After a short 
pause, Hiram ventured a question : 

What news does the Judge bring us from the Legislat- 
ure ? it’s not likely that Congress has done much this ses- 
sion : or maybe the French haven’t fit any more battles 
lately ? ” 

“ The French, since they have beheaded their king, have 
done nothing but fight,” returned the Judge. “ The char- 
acter of the nation seems changed. I knew many French 
gentlemen, during our war, and they all appeared to me to 
be men of great humanity and goodness of heart ; but these 
Jacobins are as bloodthirsty as bull-dogs.” 

There was one Eoshambow wid us, down at Yorrek- 
town,” cried the landlady ; a mighty pratty man he was, 
too ; and their horse was the very same. It was there that 
the sergeant got the hurt in the leg, from the English bat- 
teries, bad luck to ’em.” 

“ Ah ! mon pauvre roi ! ” murmured Monsieur Le Quoi. 

‘^The Legislature have been passing laws,” continued 
Marmaduke, “that the country much required. Among 
others, there is an act prohibiting the drawing of seines, at 
any other than proper seasons, in certain of our streams 
and small lakes ; and another, to prohibit the killing of deer 
in the teeming months. These are laws that were loudly 
called for, by judicious men ; nor do I despair of getting 
an act to make the unlawful felling of timber a criminal 
offence.” 

The hunter listened to this detail with breathless atten- 
tion, and when the Judge had ended, he laughed in open 
derision. 

“You may make your laws. Judge,” he cried, “but who 
will you find to watch the mountains through the long sum- 
mer days, or the lakes at night ? Game is game, and he 
Avho finds may kill ; that has been the law in these moun- 


160 


THE PIONEERS. 


tains for forty years, to my sartain knowledge ; and I think 
one old law is worth two new ones. None but a green one 
would wish to kill a doe with a fa’n by its side, unless his 
moccasins were getting old, or his leggins ragged, for the 
flesh is lean and coarse. But a rifle rings among the rocks 
along the lake shore, sometimes, as if fifty pieces were fired 
at once : it would be hard to tell where the man stood who 
pulled the trigger.’’ 

Armed with the dignity of the law, Mr. Bumppo,” re- 
turned the Judge, gravely, a vigilant magistrate can pre- 
vent much of the evil that has hitherto prevailed, and which 
is already rendering the game scarce. I hope to live to see 
the day when a man’s rights in his game shall be as much 
respected as his title to his farm.” 

Your titles and your farms are all new together,” cried 
Natty; ‘^but laws should be equal, and not more for one 
than another. I shot a deer, last Wednesday was a fort- 
night, and it floundered through the snow-banks till it got 
over a brush fence ; I catch’d the lock of my rifle in the 
twigs in following, and was kept back, until finally the 
creater got off. Now I want to know who is to pay me for 
that deer ; and a fine buck it was. If there hadn’t been a 
fence I should have gotten another shot into it ; and I never 
draw’d upon anything that hadn’t wings three rimes running, 
in my born days. — No, no. Judge, it’s the farmers that 
makes the game scarce, and not the hunters.” 

Ter teer is not so plenty as in ter old war, Pumppo,” 
said the Major, who had been an attentive listener, amidst 
clouds of smoke ; put ter lant, is not mate as for ter teer 
to live on, put for Christians.” 

Why, Major, I believe you’re a friend to justice and the 
right, though you go so often to the grand house ; but it’s a 
hard case to a man to have his honest calling for a livelihood 
stopped by laws, and that too when, if right was done, he 
mought hunt or fish on any day in the week, or on the best 
flat in the Patent, if he was so minded.” 

unstertant you, Letter-stockint,” returned the Major, 
fixing his black eyes, with a look of peculiar meaning, on the 
hunter ; put you didn’t use to be so prutent, as to look ahet 
mit so much care.” 


THE PIONEERS. 


161 


Maybe there wasn’t so much occasion,” said the hunter, 
a little sulkily ; when he sank into a silence from which he 
was not roused for some time. 

“The Judge was saying so’thin about the French,” Hiram 
observed, when the pause in the conversation had continued 
a decent time. 

“ Yes, sir,” returned Marmaduke, “the Jacobins of France 
seem rushing from one act of licentiousness to another. 
They continue those murders which are dignified by the 
name of executions. You have heard that they have added 
the death of their queen to the long^'list of their crimes.” 

“ Les Monstres ! ” again murmured Monsieur Le Quoi, 
turning himself suddenly in his chair, with a convulsive 
start. 

“The province of La Vendee is laid waste by the troops 
of the republic, and hundreds of its inhabitants, who are 
royalists in their sentiments, are shot at a time. La Vendee 
is a district in the southwest of France that continues yet 
much attached to the family of the Bourbons; doubtless 
Monsieur Le Quoi is acquainted with it, and can describe it 
more faithfully.” 

“ Hon, non, non, mon cher ami,” returned the Frenchman, 
in a suppressed voice, but speaking rapidly, and gesticulating 
with his right hand, as if for mercy, while with his left he 
concealed his eyes. 

“ There have been many battles fought lately,” continued 
Marmaduke, “ and the infuriated republicans are too often 
victorious. I cannot say, however, that I am sorry they 
have captured Toulon from the English, for it is a place to 
which they have a just right.” 

“ Ah — ha ! ” exclaimed Monsieur Le Quoi, springing on 
his feet, and flourishing both arms with great animation; 
“ ces Anglais ! ” 

The Frenchman continued to move about the room with 
great alacrity for a few minutes, repeating his exclamations 
to himself; when, overcome by the contradictory nature of 
his emotions, he suddenly burst out of the house, and was 
seen wading through the snow towards his little shop, wav- 
ing his arms on high, as if to pluck down honor from the 

M 


162 


THE PIONEERS. 


moon. His departure excited but little surprise, for the 
villagers were used to his manner; but Major Hartmann 
laughed outright, for the first time during his visit, as he 
lifted the mug, and observed — 

u ipep Frenchman is mat — put he is goot as for notting 
to trink; he is trunk mit joy.’’ 

^^The French are good soldiers,” said Captain Hollister; 
they stood us in hand a good turn, down at Yorktown ; 
nor do I think, although I am an ignorant man about the 
great movements of the army, that His Excellency would 
have been able to march against Cornwallis, without their 
reinforcements.” 

Ye spake the trut’, sergeant,” interrupted his wife, ^^and 
I would iver have ye be doing the same. It’s varry pratty 
men is the French ; and jist when I stopt the cart, the time 
when ye was pushing on in front it was, to kape the rig’lers 
in, a rigiment of the jontlemen marched by, and so I dealt 
them out to their liking. Was it pay I got? sure did I, 
and in good solid crowns : the divil a bit of continental 
could they muster among them all, for love nor money. 
Och ! the Lord forgive me for swearing and spakeing of 
such vanities ; but this I will say for the French, that they 
paid in good silver; and one glass would go a great way 
wid ’em, for they gin’rally handed it back wid a drop in 
the cup; and that’s a brisk trade, Jooge, where the pay 
is good, and the men not over partic’lar.” 

“A thriving trade, Mrs. Hollister,” said Marmaduke. 
“ But what has become of E-ichard ? he jumped up as soon 
as seated, and has been absent so long that I am fearful he 
has frozen.” 


I 


I 


I 

i 


i 


‘^ISTo fear of that, cousin ’duke,” cried the gentleman him- 
self : business will sometimes keep a man warm the cold- 
est night that ever snapt in the mountains. Betty, your 
husband told me, as we came out of church, that your hogs 
were getting mangy, so I have been out to take a look at 
them, and found it true. I stepped across. Doctor, and got 
your boy to weigh me out a pound of salts, and have been 
mixing it with their swill. I’ll bet a saddle of venison 
against a grey squirrel, that they are better in a week. 




! 


THE PIONEERS. 


163 


And now, Mrs. Hollister, I’m ready for a hissing mug of 
flip.” 

^^Sure I know’d ye’d be wanting that same,” said the 
landlady; mixt and ready to the boiling. Sergeant, 

dear, be handing np the iron, will ye ? — no, the one in the 
far fire, it’s black, ye will see. Ah ! you’ve the thing now ; 
look if it’s not as red as a cherry.” 

The beverage was heated, and Eichard took that kind of 
draught which men are apt to indulge in, who think that 
they have just executed a clever thing, especially when they 
like the liquor. 

“ Oh ! you have a hand, Betty, that was formed to mix 
flip,” cried Eichard, when he paused for breath. ^^The 
very iron has a flavor in it. Here, John, drink, man, drink. 
I and you and Dr. Todd have done a good thing with the 
shoulder of .that lad this very night. ’Duke, I made a song 
while you were gone — one day when I had nothing to do; 
so I’ll sing you a verse or two, though I haven’t really de- 
termined on the tune yet : 

“ What is life hut a scene of care, 

Where each one must toil in his way ? 

Then let us be jolly, and prove that we are 
A set of good fellows, who seem very rare, 

And can laugh and sing all the day. 

Then let us be jolly. 

And cast away folly. 

For grief turns a black head to grey. 

There, ’duke, what do you think of that ? There is another 
verse of it, all but the last line. I haven’t got a rhyme for 
the last line yet. Well, old John, what do you think of 
the music ? as good as one of your war-songs, ha ? ” 

Good ! ” said Mohegan, who had been sharing deeply in 
the potations of the landlady, besides paying a proper 
respect to the passing mugs of the Major and Marmaduke. 

‘^Pravo! pravo! Eichart,” cried the Major, whose black 
eyes were beginning to swim in moisture ; pravissimo ! it 
is a goot song; put ISTatty Pumppo hast a petter. Letter- 
stockint, vilt sing ? say, olt poy, vilt sing ter song, as apout 
ter woots ? ” 


164 


THE PIONEERS. 


no, Major,’’ returned the hunter, with a melancholy 
shake of the head, I have lived to see what I thought eyes 
could never behold in these hills, and I have no heart left 
for singing. If he, that has a right to be master and ruler 
here, is forced to squinch his thirst, when adry, with snow 
water, it ill becomes them that have lived by his bounty 
to be making merry, as if there was nothing in the world 
but sunshine and summer.” 

When he had spoken. Leather-stocking again dropped his 
head on his knees, and concealed his hard and wrinkled 
features with his hands. The change from the excessive 
cold without, to the heat of the bar-room, coupled with the 
depth and frequency of Richard’s draughts, had already 
levelled whatever inequality there might have existed be- 
tween him and the other guests, on the score of spirits ; and 
he now held out a pair of swimming mugs of foaming dip 
towards the hunter, as he cried — 

Merry ! ay ! merry Christmas to you, old boy ! Sun- 
shine and summer ! no ! you are blind. Leather-stocking, ’tis 
moonshine and winter ; — take these spectacles, and open 
your eyes — 

“ So let us be jolly, 

And cast away folly, 

Por grief turns a black head to grey. 

Hear how old John turns his quavers. What damned dull 
music an Indian song is after all. Major ! I wonder if they 
ever sing by note.” 

While Richard was singing and talking, Mohegan was 
uttering dull, monotonous tones, keeping time by a gentle 
motion of his head and body. He made use of but few 
words, and such as he did utter were in his native language, 
and consequently only understood by himself and Hatty. 
Without heeding Richard he continued to sing a kind of 
wild, melancholy air, that rose, at times, in sudden and 
quite elevated notes, and then fell again into the low, quav- 
ering sounds that seemed to compose the character of his 
music. 

The attention of the company was now much divided, the 
men in the rear having formed themselves into little groups, 


THE PIONEERS. 


165 


where they were discussing various matters; among the 
principal of which were, the treatment of mangy hogs, and 
Parson Grant’s preaching; while Dr. Todd was endeavoring 
to explain to Marmaduke the nature of the hurt received by 
the young hunter. Mohegan continued to sing, while his 
countenance was becoming vacant, though, coupled with his 
thick bushy hair, it was assuming an expression very much 
like brutal ferocity. His notes were gradually growing 
louder, and soon rose to a height that caused a general ces- 
sation in the discourse. The hunter now raised his head 
again, and addressed the old warrior, warmly, in the Dela- 
ware language, which, for the benefit of our readers, we 
shall render freely into English. 

Why do you sing of your battles, Chingachgook, and of 
the warriors you have slain, when the worst enemy of all is 
near you, and keeps the Young Eagle from his rights ? I 
have fought in as many battles as any warrior in your tribe, 
but cannot boast of my deeds at such a time as this.” 

Hawk-eye,” said the Indian, tottering with a doubtful 
step from his place, am the Great Snake of the Dela- 
wares ; I can track the Mingos like an adder that is steal- 
ing on the whip-poor-will’s eggs, and strike them like the 
rattlesnake, dead at a blow. The white man made the toma- 
hawk of Chingachgook bright as the waters of Otsego, when 
the last sun is shining ; but it is red with the blood of the 
Maquas.” 

‘^And why have you slain the Mingo warriors? Was it 
not to keep these hunting-grounds and lakes to your father’s 
children ? and were they not given in solemn council to the 
Eire-eater ? and does not the blood of a warrior run in the 
veins of a young chief, who should speak aloud, where his 
voice is now too low to be heard ? ” 

The appeal of the hunter seemed in some measure to re- 
call the confused faculties of the Indian, who turned his face 
towards the listeners, and gazed intently on the Judge. He 
shook his head, throwing his hair back from his counte- 
nance, and exposed eyes that were glaring with an expres- 
sion of wild resentment. But the man was not himself. 
His hand seemed to make a fruitless effort to release his 


166 


THE PIONEERS. 


tomahawk, which was confined by its handle to his belt, 
while his eyes gradually became vacant. Eichard at that 
instant thrusting a mug before him, his features changed to 
the grin of idiocy, and seizing the vessel with both hands, 
he sank backward on the bench and drank until satiated, 
when he made an effort to lay aside the mug with the help- 
lessness of total inebriety. 

Shed ' not blood ! ’’ exclaimed the hunter, as he watched 
the countenance of the Indian in its moment of ferocity ; 
“ but he is drunk, and can do no harm. This is the way 
with all the savages ; give them liquor, and they make dogs 
of themselves. Well, well — the time will come when right 
will be done ; and we must have patience.’^ 

Natty still spoke in the Delaware language, and of course 
was not understood. He had hardly concluded, before 
Eichard cried — 

^‘Well, old John is soon sowed up. Give him a berth. 
Captain, in the barn, and I will pay for it. I am rich to- 
night, ten times richer than ’duke, wdth all his lands, and 
military lots, and funded debts, and bonds, and mortgages. 

“Come, let us be jolly, 

And cast away folly, 

For grief — 

Drink, King Hiram — drink, Mr. Doo-nothing — drink, sir, 
I say. This is a Christmas eve, which comes, you know, 
but once a year.” 

“ He ! he ! he ! the squire is quite moosical to-night,” said 
Hiram, whose visage began to give marvellous signs of re- 
laxation. I rather guess we shall make a church on’t yet, 
Squire ? ” 

A church, Mr. Doolittle ! we will make a cathedral of 
it! bishops, priests, deacons, wardens, vestry, and choir: 
organ, organist, and bellows ! By the Lord Harry, as Ben- 
jamin says, we will clap a steeple on the other end of it, and 
make two churches of it. What say you, ’duke, will you 
pay? ha! my cousin Judge, wil’t pay?” 

‘^Thou makest such a noise, Dickon,” returned Marma- 
duke, it is impossible that I can hear what Dr. Todd is 


THE PIONEERS. 


167 


saying, — I think thou observed’st, it is probable the wound 
will fester, so as to occasion danger to the limb in this cold 
weather ? ’’ 

Out of nater, sir, quite out of nater,’’ said Elnatban, at- 
tempting to expectorate, but succeeding only in throwing a 
light, frothy substance, like a flake of snow, into the fire — 
quite out of nater, that a wound so well dressed, and with 
the ball in my pocket, should fester. I s’pose, as the Judge 
talks of taking the young man into his house, it will be most 
convenient if I make but one charge on’t.” 

‘^1 should think one would do,’’ returned Marmaduke, 
with that arch smile that so often beamed on his face ; leav- 
ing the beholder in doubt whether he most enjoyed the 
character of his companion, or his own covert humor. The 
landlord had succeeded in placing the Indian on some straw 
in one of his out-buildings, where, covered with his own 
blanket, John continued for the remainder of the night. 

In the meantime. Major Hartmann began to grow noisy 
and jocular ; glass succeeded glass, and mug after mug was 
introduced, until the carousal had run deep into the night, 
or rather morning ; when the veteran German expressed an 
inclination to return to the mansion-house. Most of the 
party had already retired, but Marmaduke knew the habits 
of his friend too well to suggest an earlier adjournment. So 
soon, however, as the proposal was made, the J udge eagerly 
availed himself of it, and the trio prepared to depart. Mrs. 
Hollister attended them to the door in person, cautioning 
her guests as to the safest manner of leaving her premises. 

''Lane on Mister Jones, Major,” said she, "he’s young, 
and will be a support to ye. Well, it’s a charming sight to 
see ye, anyway, at the ' Bould Dragoon ’ ; and sure it’s no 
harm to be kaping a Christmas eve wid a light heart, for it’s 
no telling when we may have sorrow come upon us. So 
good night, Jooge, and a merry Christmas to ye all, to- 
morrow morning.” 

The gentlemen made their adieus as well as they could, 
and taking the middle of the road, which was a fine, wide, 
and well-beaten path, they did tolerably well until they 
reached the gate of the mansion-house ; but on entering the 


168 


THE PIONEERS. 


Judge’s domains, they encountered some slight difficulties. 
We shall not stop to relate them, but will just mention that, 
in the morning, sundry diverging paths were to be seen in 
the snow ; and that once during their progress to the door, 
Marmaduke, missing his companions, was enabled to trace 
them, by one of these paths, to a spot where he discovered 
them with nothing visible but their heads : Eichard singing 
in a most vivacious strain, 

“ Come, let us be jolly, 

And cast away folly, 

Eor grief turns a black head to grey.’* 


CHAPTEE XV. 


“ As she lay, on that day, in the Bay of Biscay, O ! ” 

Previously to the occurrence of the scene at the Bold 
Dragoon/’ Elizabeth had been safely reconducted to the 
mansion-house, where she was left as its mistress, either to 
amuse or employ herself during the evening, as best suited 
her own inclinations. Most of the lights were extinguished ; 
but as Benjamin adjusted, with great care and regularity, 
four large candles, in as many massive candlesticks of brass, 
in a row on the sideboard, the hall possessed a peculiar air 
of comfort and warmth, contrasted with the cheerless aspect 
of the room she had left in the academy. 

Bemarkable had been one of the listeners to Mr. Grant, 
and returned with her resentment, which had been not a little 
excited by the language of the Judge, somewhat softened by 
reflection and the worship. She recollected the youth of 
Elizabeth, and thought it no difficult task, under present ap- 
pearances, to exercise that power indirectly, which hitherto 
she had enjoyed undisputed. The idea of being governed, 
or of being compelled to pay the deference of servitude, 
was absolutely intolerable ; and she had already determined 
within herself, some half dozen times, to make an effort, 
that should at once bring to an issue the delicate point of 
her domestic condition. But as often as she met the dark, 
proud eye of Elizabeth, who was walking up and down the 
apartment, musing on the scenes of her youth, and the 
change in her condition, and perhaps the events of the day, 
the housekeeper experienced an awe that she would not own 
to herself could be excited by anything mortal. It, how- 
ever, checked her advances, and for some time held her 
tongue-tied. At length she determined to commence the 

169 


170 


THE PIONEERS. 


discourse, by entering on a subject that was apt to level all 
human distinctions, and in which she might display her own 
abilities. 

“ It was quite a wordy sarmon that Parson Grant gave us 
to-night,” said Eemarkable. The church ministers be 
commonly smart sarmonizers ; but they write down their 
idees, which is a great privilege. I donT think that by 
nater they are as tonguey speakers, for an off-hand discourse, 
as the standing-order ministers.” 

And what denomination do you distinguish as the stand- 
ing order ? ” inquired Miss Temple, with some surprise. 

Why, the Presbyter’ans and Congregationals, and Bap- 
tists, too, for-ti-’now ; and all sitch as don’t go on their knees 
to prayer.” 

By that rule, then, you would call those who belong to 
the persuasion of my father, the sitting order,” observed 
Elizabeth. 

“ I am sure I’ve ne^er heard ’em spoken of by any other 
name than Quakers, so called,” returned Eemarkable, betray- 
ing a slight uneasiness : I should be the last to call them 
otherwise, for I never in my life used a disparaging tarm of 
the Judge, or any of his family. I’ve always set store by 
the Quakers, they are so pretty-spoken, clever people ; and 
it’s a wonderment to me, how your father come to marry 
into a church family ; for they are as contrary in religion as 
can be. One sits still, and for the most part says nothing, 
while the church folks practyse all kinds of ways, so that I 
sometimes think it quite moosical to see them ; for I went 
to a church meeting once before, down country.” 

“You have found an excellence in the church liturgy 
that has hitherto escaped me. I will thank you to inquire 
whether the fire in my room burns : I feel fatigued with my 
journey, and will retire.” 

Eemarkable felt a wonderful inclination to tell the young 
mistress of the mansion, that by opening a door she might 
see for herself; but prudence got the better of resentment, 
and after pausing some little time, as a salvo to her dignity, 
she did as desired. The report was favorable, and the 
young lady, wishing Benjamin, who was filling the stove 


THE PIONEERS. 171 

with wood, and the housekeeper, each a good night, with- 
drew. 

The instant the door closed on Miss Temple, Kemarkable 
commenced a sort of mysterious, ambiguous discourse, that 
was neither abusive nor commendatory of the qualities of 
the absent personage; but which seemed to be drawing 
nigh, by regular degrees, to a most dissatisfied description. 
The major-domo made no reply, but continued his occupa- 
tion with great industry, which being happily completed, 
he took a look at the thermometer, and then, opening a 
drawer of the sideboard, he produced a supply of stimulants 
that would have served to keep the warmth in his system, 
without the aid of the enormous fire he had been building. 
A small stand was drawn up near the stove, and the bottles 
and the glasses necessary for convenience were quietly 
arranged. Two chairs were placed by the side of this com- 
fortable situation, when Benjamin, for the first time, ap- 
peared to observe his companion. 

“Come,” he cried, “come. Mistress Kemarkable, bring 
yourself to an anchor in this chair. It’s a peeler without, 
I can tell you, good woman ; but what cares I ? blow high or 
blow low, d’ye see, it’s all the same thing to Ben. The nig- 
gers are snug stowed below before a fire that would roast an 
ox whole. The thermometer stands now at fifty-five, but if 
there’s any vartue in good maple wood. I’ll weather upon it, 
before one glass, as much as ten points more, so that the 
Squire, when he comes home from Betty Hollister’s warm 
room, will feel as hot as a hand that has given the rigging 
a lick with bad tar. Come, mistress, bring up in this here 
chair, and tell me how you like our new heiress.” 

“ Why, to my notion, Mr. Penguillum — ” ' 

“Pump, Pump,” interrupted Benjamin; “it’s Christmas 
eve. Mistress Kemarkable, and so, d’ye see, you had better 
call me Pump. It’s a shorter name, and as I mean to^ump 
this here pecanter till it sucks, why you may as well call 
me Pump.” 

“ Did you ever ! ” cried Kemarkable, with a laugh that 
seemed to unhinge every joint in her body. “ You’re a 
moosical creater, Benjamin, when the notion takes you. 


172 


THE PIONEERS. 


But as I was saying, I ratlier guess that times will be altered 
now in this house.’^ 

‘^Altered!” exclaimed the major-domo, eying the bottle 
that was assuming the clear aspect of cut glass with as- 
tonishing rapidity; ‘^it don’t matter much. Mistress Re- 
markable, so long as I keep the keys of the lockers in my 
pocket.” 

‘‘1 can’t say,” continued the housekeeper, ^‘but there’s 
good eatables and drinkables enough in the house for a 
body’s content — a little more sugar, Benjamin, in the glass 
— for Squire Jones is an excellent provider. But new lords, 
new laws ; and I shouldn’t wonder if you and I had an un- 
sartain time on’t in footer.” 

Life is as unsartain as the wind that blows,” said Ben- 
jamin, with a moralizing air ; — “ and nothing is more vari’ble 
than the wind. Mistress Remarkable, unless you happen to 
fall in with the trades, d’ye see, and then you may run for 
the matter of a month at a time, with studding-sails on both 
sides, alow and aloft, and with the cabin-boy at the wheel.” 

I know that life is desput unsartain,” said Remarkable, 
compressing her features to the humor of her companion; 

but I expect there will be great changes made in the house 
to rights and that you will find a young man put over your 
head, as there is one that wants to be over mine ; and after 
having been settled as long as you have, Benjamin, I should 
judge that to be hard.” 

^‘Promotion should go according to length of sarvice,” 
said the major-domo; ^‘and if so be that they ship a hand 
for my berth, or place a new steward aft, I shall throw up 
my commissipn in less time than you can put a pilot-boat in 
stays. Thof Squire Dickens” — this was a common mis- 
nomer with Benjamin — ‘^is a nice gentleman, and as good 
a man to sail with as heart could wish, yet I shall tell the 
Squire, d’ye see, in plain English, and that’s my native 
tongue, that if so be he is thinking of putting any Johnny 
Raw over my head, why I shall resign. I began forrard. 
Mistress Prettybones, and worked my way aft, like a man. 
I was six months aboard a Garnsey lugger, hauling in the 
slack of the lee-sheet, and coiling up rigging. Prom that I 


THE PIONEERS. 


173 


went a few trips in a fore -and-af ter, in the same trade, which 
after all, was bnt a blind kind of sailing in the dark, where 
a man larns but little, excepting how to steer by the stars. 
Well, then, d’ye see, I larnt how a topmast should be 
slushed, and how a top-gallantsail was to be becketted ; and 
then I did small jobs in the cabin, such as mixing the skip- 
per’s grog. ’Twas there I got my taste, which, you must 
have often seen, is excellent. Well, here’s better acquaint- 
ance to us.” 

Eemarkable nodded a return to the compliment, and took 
a sip of the beverage before her ; for, provided it was well 
sweetened, she had no objection to a small potation now and 
then. After this observance of courtesy between the worthy 
couple, the dialogue proceeded. 

You have had great experiences in life, Benjamin ; for, 
as the Scripter says, ^ They that go down to the sea in ships 
see the works of the Lord.’ ” 

‘‘ Ay ! for that matter, they in brigs and schooners too ; 
and it mought say, the works of the devil. The sea. Mis- 
tress Eemarkable, is a great advantage to a man, in the way 
of knowledge, for he sees the fashions of nations, and the 
shape of a country. Now, I suppose, for myself here, who 
is but an unlarned man to some that follows the seas, I sup- 
pose that, taking the coast from Cape Ler Hogue, as low 
down as Cape Finish-there, there isn’t so much as a head- 
land, or an island, that I don’t know either the name of it, 
or something more or less about it. Take enough, woman, 
to color the water. Here’s sugar. It’s a sweet tooth, that 
fellow that you hold on upon yet. Mistress Prettybones. 
But, as I was saying, take the whole coast along I know it 
as well as the way from here to the ‘ Bold Dragoon ’ ; and a 
devil of an acquaintance is that Bay of Biscay. Whew ! I 
wish you could but hear the wind blow there. It sometimes 
takes two to hold one man’s hair on his head. Scudding 
through the Bay is pretty much the same thing as travel- 
ling the roads in this country, up one side of a mountain, 
and down the other.” 

'^Do tell!” exclaimed Eemarkable; ^^and does the sea 
run as high as mountains, Benjamin ? ” 


1T4 


THE PIONEERS. 


Well, I will tell ; but first let’s taste the grog. Hem ! 
it’s the right kind of stuff, I must say, that you keep in this 
country, but then you’re so close aboard the West Indies, 
you make but a small run of it. By the Lord Harry, woman, 
if Garnsey only lay somewhere between Cape Hatteras and 
the Bite of Logann, but you’d see rum cheap ! As to the 
seas, they runs more in uppers in the Bay of Biscay, unless 
it may be in a sow-wester, when they tumble about quite 
handsomely; thof it’s not in the narrow sea that you are to 
look for a swell ; just go off the Western Islands, in a west- 
erly blow, keeping the land on your larboard hand, with 
the ship’s head to the south’ard, and bring to, under a close- 
reef’d topsail; or, mayhap, a reef’d foresail, with a fore- 
topmast-staysail, and mizen-staysail, to keep her up to the 
sea, if she will bear it ; and lay there for the matter of two 
watches, if you want to see mountains. Why, good woman, 
I’ve been off there in the Boadishey frigate, when you could 
see nothing but some such matter as a piece of sky, mayhap, 
as big as the mainsail ; and then again, there was a hole 
under your lee-quarter big enough to hold the whole British 
navy.” 

“ Oh ! for massy’s sake ! and wan’t you afeard, Benjamin ? 
and how did you get off ? ” 

“ Afeard ! who the devil do you think was to be fright- 
ened at a little salt water tumbling about his head? As 
for getting off, when we had enough of it, and had washed 
our decks down pretty well, we called all hands, for, d’ye 
see, the watch below was in their hammocks, all the same 
as if they were in one of your best bed-rooms ; and so we 
watched for a smooth time, clapt her helm hard a weather, 
let fall the foresail, and got the tack aboard ; and so, when 
we got her afore it, I ask you. Mistress Prettybones, if she 
didn’t walk ? didn’t she ? I’m no liar, good woman, when 
I say that I saw that ship jump from the top of one sea to 
another, just like one of these squirrels, that can fly, jumps 
from tree to tree.” 

“ What, clean out of the water ! ” exclaimed Kemarkable, 
lifting her two lank arms, with their bony hands spread in 
astonishment. 


THE PIONEERS. 


175 


“ It was no such, easy matter to get out of the water, good 
woman ; for the spray fiew so that you couldn’t tell which 
was sea and which was cloud. So there we kept her afore 
it for the matter of two glasses. The first lieutenant he 
cun’d the ship himself, and there was four quartermasters 
at the wheel, besides the master with six forecastle men in 
the gun-room, at the relieving tackles. But then she be- 
haved herself so well ! Oh ! she was a sweet ship, mistress ! 
That one frigate was well worth more, to live in, than the 
best house in the island. If I was King of England, I’d 
have her hauled up above Lon’on bridge, and fit her up for 
a palace ; because why ? if anybody can afford to live com- 
fortably, His Majesty can.” 

‘^Well! but, Benjamin,” cried the listener, who was in 
an ecstasy of astonishment, at this relation of the steward’s 
dangers, what did you do ? ” 

Do ! why we did our duty like hearty fellows. Kow if 
the countrymen of Mounsheer Ler Quaw had been aboard of 
her, they would have just struck her ashore on some of them 
small islands ; but we run along the land, until we found 
her dead to leeward off the mountains of Pico, and dam’me 
if I know to this day how we got there ; whether we jumped 
over the island, or hauled round it; — but there we was, 
and there we lay, under easy sail, fore-reaching first upon 
one tack and then upon t’other, so as to poke her nose out 
now and then, and take a look to wind’ard, till the gale 
blow’d its pipe out.” 

I wonder now ! ” exclaimed Remarkable, to whom most 
of the terms used by Benjamin were perfectly unintelligible, 
but who had got a confused idea of a raging tempest. It 
must be an awful life, that going to sea ! and I don’t feel 
astonishment that you are so affronted with the thoughts 
of being forced to quit a comfortable home like this. Not 
that a body cares much for’t, as there’s more houses than 
one to live in. Why, when the Judge agreed with me to 
come and live with him, I’d no more notion of stopping any 
time than anything. I happened in, just to see how the 
family did, about a week after Miss Temple died, thinking 
to be back home ag’in night ; but the family was in sitch a 


176 


THE PIONEERS. 


distressed way, that I couldn’t but stop awhile, and help 
’em on. I thought the situation a good one, seeing that I 
was an unmarried body, and they were so much in want of 
help ; so I tarried.” 

“ And a long time have you left your anchors down in the 
same place, mistress. I think you must find that the ship 
rides easy.” 

^‘How you talk, Benjamin! there’s no believing a word 
you say. I must say that the Judge and Squire Jones have 
both acted quite clever, so long ; but I see that now we shall 
have a specimen to the contrary. I heer’n say that the 
Judge was gone a great ’broad, and that he meant to bring 
his darter hum, but I didn’t calculate on sitch carrin’s on. 
To my notion, Benjamin, she’s likely to turn out a desput 
ugly gal.” 

Ugly ! ” echoed the major-domo, opening eyes that were 
beginning to close in a very suspicious sleepiness, in wide 
amazement. ^‘By the Lord Harry, woman, I should as soon 
think of calling the Boadishey a clumsy frigate. What the 
devil would you have ? arn’t her eyes as bright as the morn- 
ing and evening stars ? and isn’t her hair as black and 
glistening as rigging that has just had a lick of tar ? doesn’t 
she move as stately as a first rate in smooth water, on a 
bow-line ? Why, woman, the figure-head of the Boadishey 
was a fool to her, and that, as I’ve often heard the captain 
say, was an image of a great queen ; and arn’t queens always 
comely, woman ? for who do you think would be a king, and 
not choose a handsome bedfellow ? ” 

‘^Talk decent, Benjamin,” said the housekeeper, ^^or I 
won’t keep your company. I don’t gainsay her being comely 
to look on, but I will maintain that she’s likely to show 
poor conduct. She seems to think herself too good to talk 
to a body. From what Squire Jones had tell’d me, I some 
expected to be quite captivated by her company. How, to 
my reckoning, Lowizy Grant is much more pritty behaved 
than Betsey Temple. She wouldn’t so much as hold dis- 
course with me, when I wanted to ask her how she felt, on 
coming home and missing her mammy.” 

‘‘Perhaps she didn’t understand you, woman; you are 


THE PIONEERS. 


177 


1 


none of the best lingnister ; and then Miss Lizzy has been 
exercising the king’s English under a great Lon’on lady, 
and, for that matter, can talk the language almost as well as 
myself, or any native-born British subject. You’ve forgot 
your schooling, and the young mistress is a great scollard.” 

“ Mistress ! ” cried Remarkable, don’t make one out to 
be a nigger, Benjamin. She’s no mistress of mine, and 
never will be. And as to speech, I hold myself as second to 
nobody out of New England. I was born and raised in 
Essex county ; and I’ve always heer’n say that the Bay State 
was provarbal for pronounsation ! ” 

“ I’ve often heard of that Bay of State,” said Benjamin, 
^^but can’t say that I’ve ever been in it, nor do I know 
exactly whereaway it is that it lays ; but I suppose there is 
good anchorage in it, and that it’s no bad place for the tak- 
ing of ling ; but for size, it can’t be so much as a yawl to a 
sloop of war, compared with the Bay of Biscay, or, mayhap, 
Torbay. And as for language, if you want to h^ar the 'dic- 
tionary overhauled, like a long-line in a blow, you must go 
to Wapping, and listen to the Lon’oners, as they deal out 
their lingo. Howsomever, I see no such mighty matter that 
Miss Lizzy has been doing to you, good woman, so take 
another drop of your brew, and forgive and forget, like an 
honest soul.” 

“ No, indeed ! and I sha’n’t do sitch a thing, Benjamin. 
This treatment is a newity to me, and what I won’t put up 
with. I have a hundred and fifty dollars at use, besides a 
bed and twenty sheep, to good ; and I don’t crave to live in 
a house where a body mustn’t call a young woman by her 
given name to her face. I will call her Betsey as much as 
I please ; it’s a free country, and no one can stop me. I did 
intend to stop while summer, but I shall quit to-morrow 
morning ; and I will talk just as I please.” 

“For that matter. Mistress Remarkable,” said Benjamin, 
“there’s none here who will contradict you; for I’m of opin- 
ion that it would be as easy to stop a hurricane with a 
Barcelony handkerchy, as to bring up your tongue when the 
stopper is off. I say, good woman, do they grow many 
monkeys along the shores of that Bay of State ? ” 

N 


178 


THE PIONEERS. 


You’re a monkey yourself, Mr. Penguillum,” cried the 
enraged housekeeper, or a bear ! a black, beastly bear ! and 
an’t fit for a decent woman to stay with. I’ll never keep 
your company ag’in, sir, if I should live thirty years with 
the Judge. Sitch talk is more befitting the kitchen than 
the keeping-room of a house of one who is well to do in the 
world.” 

Look you. Mistress Pitty — Patty — Prettybones, may- 
hap I’m some such matter as a bear, as they will find who 
come to grapple with me; but dam’me if I’m a monkey — 
a thing that chatters without knowing a word of what it 
says — a parrot; that will hold a dialogue, for what an 
honest man knows, in a dozen languages ; mayhap in the 
Bay of State lingo ; mayhap in Greek or High Dutch. But 
dost if know what it means itself ? canst answer me that, 
good woman? Your midshipman can sing out, and pass 
the word, when the captain gives the order, but just set him 
adrift by himself, and let him work the ship of his own head, 
and stop my grog, if you don’t find all the Johnny Baws 
laughing at him.” 

Stop your grog, indeed ! ” said Bemarkable, rising with 
great indignation, and seizing a candle ; you’re -groggy now, 
Benjamin, and I’ll quit the room before I hear any misbe- 
coming words from you.” 

The housekeeper retired, with a manner but little less 
dignified, as she thought, than the air of the heiress, mutter- 
ing, as she drew the door after her, with a noise like the 
report of a musket, the opprobrious terms of “ drunkard,” 
^^sot,” and beast.” 

Who’s that you say is drunk ? ” cried Benjamin, fiercely, 
rising and making a movement towards Bemarkable. You 
talk of mustering yourself with a lady ! you’re just fit to 
grumble and find fault. Where the devil should you larn 
behavior and dictionary ? in your damned Bay of State, 
ha?” 

Benjamin here fell back in his chair, and soon gave vent 
to certain ominous sounds, which resembled not a little the 
growling of his favorite animal, the bear itself. Before, 
however, he was quite locked — to use the language that 


THE PIONEERS. 


179 


would suit the Della-Cruscan humor of certain refined minds 
of the present day — ^^in the arms of Morpheus,” he spoke 
aloud, observing due pauses between his epithets, the impres- 
sive terms of “ monkey,” parrot,” pic-nic,” tar-pot,” and 
linguisters.” 

We shall not attempt to explain his meaning, nor connect 
his sentences ; and our readers must be satisfied with our 
informing them that they were expressed with all that cool- 
ness of contempt that a man might well be supposed to feel 
for a monkey. 

Nearly two hours passed in this sleep before the major- 
domo was awakened by the noisy entrance of Richard, Major 
Hartmann, and the master of the mansion. Benjamin so far 
rallied his confused faculties, as to shape the course of the 
two former to their respective apartments, when he disap- 
peared himself, leaving the task of securing the house to 
him who was most interested in its safety. Locks and bars 
were but little attended to in the early day of that settlement ; 
and so soon as Marmaduke had given an eye to the enormous 
fires of his dwelling, he retired. With this act of prudence 
closes the first night of our tale. 


CHAPTEE XVI. 


Watch, {aside) . Some treason, masters — 

Yet stand close. 

Much Ado about Nothing. 

It was fortunate for more than one of the bacchanalians 
who left the Bold Dragoon ’’ late in the evening, that the 
severe cold of the season was becoming rapidly less dan- 
gerous, as they threaded the different mazes through the 
snow-banks that led to their respective dwellings. Thin, 
driving clouds began, towards morning, to flit across the 
heavens, and the moon set behind a volume of vapor that 
was impelled furiously towards the north, carrying with it 
the softer atmosphere from the distant ocean. The rising 
sun was obscured by denser and increasing columns of 
clouds, while the southerly wind that rushed up the valley, 
brought the never failing symptoms of a thaw. 

It was quite late in the morning before Elizabeth, observ- 
ing the faint glow which appeared on the eastern mountain, 
long after the light of the sun had struck the opposite hills, 
ventured from the house, with a view to gratify her curiosity 
with a glance by daylight, at the surrounding objects, before 
the tardy revellers of the Christmas eve should make their 
appearance at the breakfast-table. While she was drawing 
the folds of her pelisse more closely around her form, to 
guard against a cold that was yet great, though rapidly 
yielding, in the small inclosure that opened in the rear of 
the house on a little thicket of low pines, that were spring- 
ing up where trees of a mightier growth had lately stood, 
she was surprised at the voice of Mr. Jones. 

Merry Christmas, merry Christmas to you, cousin Bess,’’ 
he shouted. Ah, ha ! an early riser, I see ; but I knew I 
should steal a march on you. I never was in a house yet, 

lao 


TfiE PIONEERS. 


181 


where I didn’t get the first Christmas greeting on every 
soul in it, man, woman, and child; great and small; black, 
white, and yellow. But stop a minute, till I can just slip on 
my coat ; you are about to look at the improvements, I see, 
which no one can explain so well as I, who planned them 
all. It will be an hour before ’duke and the Major can 
sleep off Mrs. Hollister’s confounded distillations, and so 
I’ll come down and go with you.” 

Elizabeth turned, and observed her cousin in his night-cap, 
with his head out of his bed-room window, where his zeal 
for pre-eminence, in defiance of the weather, had impelled 
him to thrust it. She laughed, and promising to wait for 
his company, re-entered the house, making her appearance 
again, holding in her hand a packet that was secured by 
several large and important seals, just in time to meet the 
gentleman. 

Come, Bessy, come,” he cried, drawing one of her arms 
through his own ; the snow begins to give, but it will bear 
us yet. Don’t you snuff old Pennsylvania in the very air ? 
This is a vile climate, girl ; now at sunset, last evening, it 
was cold enough to freeze a man’s zeal, and that, I can tell 
you, takes a thermometer near zero for me ; then about nine 
or ten it began to moderate ; at twelve it was quite mild, 
and here all the rest of the night I have been so hot as not 
to bear a blanket on the bed. — Holla ! Aggy, — merry Christ- 
mas, Aggy — I say, do you hear me, you black dog ! there’s 
a dollar for you ; and if the gentlemen get up before I come 
back, do you come out and let me know. I wouldn’t have 
’duke get the start of me for the worth of your head.” 

The black caught the money from the snow, and promis- 
ing a due degree of watchfulness, he gave the dollar a whirl 
of twenty feet in the air, and catching it as it fell, in the 
palm of his hand, he withdrew to the kitchen, to exhibit his 
present, with a heart as light as his face was happy in its 
-expression. 

Oh, rest easy, my dear coz,” said the young lady ; “ I 
took a look in at my father, who is likely to sleep an hour ; 
and, by using due vigilance, you will secure all the honors 
of the season.” 


182 


THE PIONEERS. 


^^Why, ’duke is your father, Elizabeth; but ’duke is a 
man who likes to be foremost, even in trifles. Now, as for 
myself, I care for no such things, except in the way of com- 
petition ; for a thing which is of no moment in itself, may 
be made of importance in the way of competition. So it is 
with your father — he loves to be first; but I only struggle 
with him as a competitor.” 

, It’s all very clear, sir,” said Elizabeth ; you would not 
care a fig for distinction if there were no one in the world 
but yourself ; but as there happen to be a great many others, 
why you must struggle with them all — in the way of com- 
petition.” 

Exactly so ; I see you are a clever girl, Bess, and one 
who does credit to her masters. It was my plan to send 
you to that school; for when your father first mentioned 
the thing, I wrote a private letter for advice to a judicious 
friend in the city, who recommended the very school you 
went to. ’Duke was a little obstinate at first, as usual, but 
when he heard the truth, he was obliged to send you.” 

‘‘Well, a truce to ’duke’s foibles, sir; he is my father; 
and if you knew what he has been doing for you while we 
were in Albany, you would deal more tenderly with his 
character.” 

“ For me ! ” cried Richard, pausing a moment in his walk 
to reflect. “ Oh ! he got the plans of the new Dutch meet- 
ing-house for me, I suppose ; but I care very little about it, 
for a man of a certain kind of talent is seldom aided by any 
foreign suggestions: his own brain is the best architect.” 

“No such thing,” said Elizabeth, looking provokingly 
knowing. 

“No! let me see — perhaps he had my name put in the 
bill for the new turnpike, as a director.” 

“He might possibly ; but it is not to such an appointment 
that I allude.” 

“ Such an appointment ! ” repeated Mr. Jones, who began 
to fidget with curiosity ; “ then it is an appointment. If it 
is in the militia, I won’t take it.” 

“No, no, it is not in the militia,” cried Elizabeth, show- 
ing the packet in her hand, and then drawing it back with 


THE PIONEERS. 183 

a coquettish air ; it is an office of both honor and emolu- 
ment.” 

Honor and emolument!” echoed Eichard, in painful 
suspense; show me the paper, girl. Say, is it an office 
where there is anything to do ^ ” 

You have hit it, cousin Dickon; it is the executive office 
of the county ; at least so said my father, when he gave me 
this packet to offer you as a Christmas-box. — ^Surely if 
anything will please Dickon,’ he said, ^ it will be to fill the 
executive chair of the county.’ ” 

Executive chair ! what nonsense ! ” cried the impatient 
gentleman, snatching the packet from her hand ; there is 
no such office in the county. Eh ! what ! it is, I declare, a 
commission, appointing Eichard Jones, Esquire, sheriff of 
the county. Well, this is kind in ’duke, positively. I 
must say ’duke has a warm heart, and never forgets his 
friends. Sheriff! High Sheriff of-^^ — ! It sounds well, 
Bess, but it shall execute better. ’Duke is a judicious man 
after all, and knows human nature thoroughly. I’m much 
obliged to him,” continued Eichard, using the skirt of his 
coat unconsciously, to wipe his eyes ; though I would do 
as much for him any day, as he shall see, if I have an 
opportunity to perform any of the duties of my office on 
him. It shall be done, cousin Bess — it shall be done, 
I say. — How this cursed south wind makes one’s eyes 
water ! ” 

^^How, Eichard,” said the laughing maiden, ^^now I think 
you will find something to do. I have often heard you com- 
plain of old, that there was nothing to do in this new coun- 
try, while to my eyes it seemed as if everything remained to 
be done.” 

Do ! ” echoed Eichard, who blew his nose, raised his 
little form to its greatest elevation, and looked serious. 

Everything depends on system, girl. I shall sit down 
this afternoon, and systematize the county. I must have 
deputies, you know. I will divide the county into districts, 
over which I will place my deputies ; and I will have one 
for the village, which I will call my home department. Let 
me see — oh! Benjamin! yes, Benjamin will make a good 


184 


THE PIONEERS. 


deputy ; he has been naturalized, and would answer admir- 
ably, if he could only ride on horseback/’ 

Yes, Mr. Sheriff,” said his companion ; and as he under- 
stands ropes so well, he would be very expert, should occa- 
sion happen for his services, in another way.” 

^^No,” interrupted the other, I flatter myself that no 
man could hang a man better than — that is — ha — oh ! 
yes, Benjamin would do extremely well, in such an unfort- 
unate dilemma, if he could be persuaded to attempt it. But 
I should despair of the thing. I never could induce him 
to hang, or teach him to ride on horseback. I must seek 
another deputy.” 

^‘Well, sir, as you have abundant leisure for all these 
important affairs, I beg that you will forget that you are 
High Sheriff, and devote some little of your time to gal- 
lantry. Where are the beauties and improvements which 
you were to show me^ ” 

Where ? why, everywhere. Here I have laid out some 
new streets ; and when they are opened, and the trees felled, 
and they are all built up, will they not make a fine town ? 
Well, ’duke is a liberal-hearted fellow, with all his stubborn- 
ness. Yes, yes, I must have at least four deputies, besides 
a jailor.” 

I see no streets in the direction of our walk,” said Eliza- 
beth, unless you call the short avenues through these pine 
bushes by that name. Surely you do not contemplate build- 
ing houses, very soon, in that forest before us, and in those 
swamps.” 

^‘ We must run our streets by the compass, coz, and dis- 
regard trees, hills, ponds, stumps, or, in fact, anything but 
posterity. Such is the will of your father, and your father, 
you know — ” 

^^Had you made Sheriff, Mr. Jones,” interrupted the lady, 
with a tone that said very plainly to the gentleman, that he 
was touching a forbidden subject. 

I know it, I know it,” cried Bichard ; and if it were 
in my power, I’d make ’duke a king. He is a noble-hearted 
fellow, and would make an excellent king ; that is, if he had 
a good prime minister. — But who have we here ? voices in 


THE PIONEERS. 


185 


the bushes ; — a combination about mischief, I’ll wager my 
commission. Let us draw near, and examine a little into 
the matter.” 

During this dialogue, as the parties had kept in motion, 
Diehard and his cousin advanced some distance from the 
house, into the open space in the rear of the village, where, 
as may be gathered from the conversation, streets were 
planned, and future dwellings contemplated ; but where, in 
truth, the only mark of improvement that was to be seen, 
was a neglected clearing along the skirt of a dark forest of 
mighty pines, over which the bushes or sprouts of the same 
tree had sprung up, to a height that interspersed the fields 
of snow with little thickets of evergreen. The rushing of 
the wind, as it whistled through the tops of these mimic 
trees, prevented the footsteps of the pair from being heard, 
while the branches concealed their persons. Thus aided, 
the listeners drew nigh to a spot where the young hunter. 
Leather-stocking, and the Indian chief were collected in an 
earnest consultation. The former was urgent in his manner, 
and seemed to think the subject of deep importance, while 
Natty appeared to listen with more than his usual attention 
to what the nther was saying. Mohegan stood a little on 
one side, with his head sunken on • his chest, his hair fall- 
ing forward, so as to conceal most of his features, and 
his whole attitude expressive of deep dejection, if not of 
shame. 

Let us withdraw,” whispered Elizabeth ; we are in- 
truders, and can have no right to listen to the secrets of 
these men.” 

^^No right ! ” returned Diehard, a little impatiently, in the 
.same tone, and drawing her arm so forcibly through his own 
as to prevent her retreat ; you forget, cousin, that it is my 
duty to preserve the peace of the county, and see the laws 
executed. These wanderers frequently commit depreda- 
tions; though I do not think John would do anything 
secretly. Poor fellow ! he was quite boozy last night, and 
hardly seems to be over it yet. Let us draw nigher, and 
hear what they say.” 

Notwithstanding the lady’s reluctance, Diehard, stimu- 


186 


THE PIONEERS. 


lated doubtless by his nice sense of duty, prevailed; and 
they were soon so near as distinctly to hear sounds. 

“The bird must be had/’ said Natty, “by fair means or 
foul. Heigho ! I’ve known the time, lad, when the wild 
turkeys wasn’t over scarce in the country; though you 
must go into the Virginy gaps, if you want them now. To 
be sure, there is a different taste to a partridge, and a well- 
fatted turkey ; though, to my eating, beaver’s tail and bear’s 
hams makes the best of food. But then every one has his 
own appetite. I gave the last farthing, all to that shilling, 
to the French trader, this very morning, as I came through 
the town, for powder ; so, as you have nothing, we can have 
but one shot for it. I know that Billy Kirby is out, and 
means to have a pull of the trigger at that very turkey. 
J ohn has a true eye for a single fire, and somehow, my hand 
shakes so whenever I have to do anything extrawnary, that 
I often lose my aim. Now, when I killed the she-bear this 
fall, with her cubs, though they were so mighty ravenous, 
I knocked them over one at a shot, and loaded while I 
dodged the trees in the bargain ; but this is a very different 
thing, Mr. Oliver.” 

“ This,” cried the young man with an accent that sounded 
as if he took a bitter pleasure in his poverty, while he held 
a shilling up before his eyes — “ this is all the treasure that 
I possess — this and my rifle ! Now, indeed, I have become 
a man of the woods, and must place my sole dependence on 
the chase. Come, Natty, let us stake the last penny for the 
bird ; with your aim, it cannot fail to be successful.” 

“ I would rather it should be J ohn, lad ; my heart jumps 
into my mouth, because you set your mind so much on’t ; 
and I’m sartain that I shall miss the bird. Them Indians 
can shoot one time as well as another ; nothing ever troubles 
them. I say, John, here’s a shilling; take my rifle, and 
get a shot at the big turkey they’ve put up at the stump. 
Mr. Oliver is over anxious for the creater, and I’m sure to do 
nothing when I have over-anxiety about it.” 

The Indian turned his head gloomily, and, after looking 
keenly for a moment, in profound silence, at his companions, 
he replied — 


THE PIONEERS. 


187 


When J ohn was young, eyesight was not straighter than 
his bullet. The Mingo squaws cried out at the sound of his 
rifle. The Mingo warriors were made squaws. When did 
he ever shoot twice! The eagle went above the clouds, 
when he passed the wigwam of Chingachgook ; his feathers 
were plenty with the women. But see,” he said, raising 
his voice from the low, mournful tones in which he had 
spoken, to a pitch of keen excitement, and stretching forth 
both hands — they shake like a deer at the wolfs howl. 
Is J ohn old ? When was a Mohican a squaw, with seventy 
winters ! No ! the white man brings old age with him — 
rum is his tomahawk ! ” 

f^Why then do you use it, old man?” exclaimed the 
young hunter ; “ why will one, so noble by nature, aid the 
devices of the devil, by making himself a beast ! ” 

Beast! is John gf beast?” replied the Indian, slowly; 
^^yes; you say no lie, child of the Tire-eater! John is a 
beast. The smokes were once few in these hills. The deer 
would lick the hand of a white man, and the birds rest on 
his head. They were strangers to him. My fathers came 
from the shores of the salt lake. They fled before rum. 
They came to their grandfather, and they lived in peace; 
or, when they did raise the hatchet, it was to strike it into 
the brain of a Mingo. They gathered around the council- 
fire, and what they said was done. Then John was the 
man. But warriors and traders with light eyes followed 
them. One brought the long knife, and one brought rum. 
They were more than the pines on the mountains; and 
they broke up the councils, and took the lands. The evil 
spirit was in their jugs, and they let him loose. Yes, 
yes — you say no lie, Young Eagle; John is a Christian 
beast.” 

Forgive me, old warrior,” cried the youth, grasping his 
hand ; I should be the last to reproach you. The curses 
of Heaven light on the cupidity that has destroyed such a 
race. Bemember, John, that I am of your family, and it is 
now my greatest pride.” 

The muscles of Mohegan relaxed a little, and he said, more 
mildly — 


188 


THE PIONEERS. 


You are a Delaware, my son ; your words are not heard 
— John cannot shoot.’^ i 

I thought that lad had Indian blood in him,” whispered * 
Richard, by the awkward way he handled my horses last j 
night. You see, coz, they never use harness. But the poor ! 
fellow shall have two shots at the turkey, if he wants it, 
for I’ll give him another shilling myself ; though, perhaps, 

I had better offer to shoot for him. They have got up their 
Christmas sports, I find, in the bushes yonder, where you 
hear the laughter ; — though it is a queer taste this chap has 
for turkey ; not but what it is good eating too.” 

Hold, cousin Richard,” exclaimed Elizabeth, clinging to 
his arm, would it be delicate to offer a shilling to that 
gentleman ? ” 

Gentleman again ! do you think a half-breed, like him, 
will refuse money ? Ho, no, girl, he will take the shilling; 
ay! and even rum too, notwithstanding he moralizes so 
much about it. But I’ll give the lad a chance for his tur- j 
key, for that Billy Kirby is one of the best marksmen in I 
the country ; that is, if we except the — the gentleman.” 

‘‘ Then,” said Elizabeth, who found her strength unequal 
to her will, “ then, sir, I will speak.” She advanced, with 
an air of determination, in front of her cousin, and entered 
the little circle of bushes that surrounded the trio of hunters.. 
Her appearance startled the youth, who at first made an 
unequivocal motion towards retiring, but, recollecting him- 
self, bowed, by lifting his cap, and resumed his attitude of 
leaning on his rifle. Neither Natty nor Mohegan betrayed 
any emotion, though the appearance of Elizabeth was so 
entirely unexpected. 

“I find,” she said, ^Ghat the old Christmas sport of 
shooting the turkey is yet in use among you. I feel in- 
clined to try my chance for a bird. Which of you will takej 
this money, and, after paying my fee, give me the aid of 
his rifle ? ” 

Is this a sport for a lady ? ” exclaimed the young hunter, 
with an emphasis that could not well be mistaken, and with 
a rapidity that showed he spoke without consulting anything * 
but feeling. 


THE PIONEERS. 


189 


Why not, sir ? If it be inhuman, the sin is not confined 
to one sex only. But I have my humor as well as others. 
I ask not your assistance; but’^ — turning to Natty, and 
.dropping a dollar in his hand — ^Hhis old veteran of the 
forest will not be so ungallant as to refuse one fire for a 
lady.’’ 

Leather-stocking dropped the money into his pouch, and 
throwing up the end of his rifle, he freshened his priming ; 
and, first laughing in his usual manner, he threw the piece 
over his shoulder, , and said — 

^^If Billy Kirby don’t get the bird before me, and the 
Frenchman’s powder don’t hang fire this damp morning, 
you’ll see as fine a turkey dead, in a few minutes, as ever 
was eaten in the Judge’s shanty. I have know’d the Dutch 
women, on the Mohawk and Schoharie, count greatly on 
coming to the merry-makings ; and so, lad, you shouldn’t be 
short with the lady. Come, let us go forward, for if we 
wait, the finest bird will be gone.” 

But"! have a right before you. Natty, and shall try my 
own luck first. You will excuse me. Miss Temple ; I have 
much reason to wish that bird, and may seem ungallant, but 
I must claim my privileges.” 

Claim anything that is justly your own, sir,” returned 
the lady ; we are both adventurers ; and this is my knight. 
I trust my fortune to his hand and eye. Lead on. Sir 
Leather-stocking, and we will follow.” 

Natty, who seemed pleased with the frank address of the 
young and beauteous Elizabeth, who had so singularly in- 
trusted him with such a commission, returned the bright 
smile with which she had addressed him, by his own pecul- 
iar mark of mirth, and moved across the snow, towards the 
spot whence the sounds of boisterous mirth proceeded, with 
the long strides of a hunter. His companions followed in 
silence, the youth casting frequent and uneasy glances 
towards Elizabeth, who was detained by a motion from 
Richard. 

I should think. Miss Temple,” he said, so soon as the 
others were out of hearing, ‘Hhat if you really wished a 
turkey, you would not have taken a stranger for the office. 


190 


THE PIONEERS. 


and such a one as Leather-stocking. But I can hardly 
believe that you are serious, for I have fifty at this moment 
shut up in the coops, in every stage of fat, so that you 
might choose any quality you pleased. There are six that 
I am trying an experiment on, by giving them brick-bats 
with — ’’ 

Enough, cousin Dickon,^’ interrupted the lady; do 
wish the bird, and it is because I so wish, that I commis- 
sioned this Mr. Leather-stocking.’’ 

Did you ever hear of the great shot that I made at the 
wolf, cousin Elizabeth, who was carrying off your father’s 
sheep?” said Eichard, drawing himself up into an air of 
displeasure. ‘‘ He had the sheep on his back ; and had the 
head of the wolf been on the other side, I should have killed 
him dead ; as it was — ” 

You killed the sheep, — I know it all, dear coz. But 

would it have been decorous for the High Sheriff of to 

mingle in such sports as these ? ” 

“ Surely you did not think that I intended actually to fire 
with my own hands ? ” said Mr. Jones. But let us follow, 
and see the shooting. There is no fear of anything unpleas- 
ant occurring to a female in this new country, especially to 
your father’s daughter, and in my presence.” 

My father’s daughter fears nothing, sir, more especially ' 
when escorted by the highest executive officer in the 
county.” j 

She took his arm, and he led her through the mazes of ■ 
the bushes to the spot where most of the young men of the 
village were collected for the sports of shooting a Christmas 
match, and whither Hatty and his companions had already ' 
preceded them. j 


CHAPTER XVII. 


I guess, by all this quaint array, 

The burghers hold their sports to-day. 

Scott. 

The ancient amusement of shooting the Christmas turkey 
is one of the few sports that the settlers of a new country 
seldom or never neglect to observe. It was connected with 
the daily practices of a people who often laid aside the axe 
or the scythe to seize the rifle, as the deer glided through 
the forests they were felling, or the bear entered their 
rough meadows to scent the air of a clearing, and to scan, 
with a look of sagacity, the progress of the invader. 

On the present occasion, the usual amusement of the day 
had been a little hastened, in order to allow a fair oppor- 
tunity to Mr. Grant, whose exhibition was not less a treat 
to the young sportsmen, than the one which engaged their 
present attention. The owner of the birds was a free 
black, who had prepared for the occasion a collection of 
game that was admirably qualified to inflame the appetite 
of an epicure, and was well adapted to the means and skill 
of the different competitors, who were of all ages. He had 
offered to the younger and more humble marksmen divers 
birds of an inferior quality, and some shooting had already 
taken place, much to the pecuniary advantage of the sable 
owner of the game. The order of the sports was extremely 
simple, and well understood. The bird was fastened by a 
string to the stump of a large pine, the side of which, 
towards the point where the marksmen were placed, had 
been flattened with an axe, in order that it might serve the 
purpose of a target by which the merit of each individual 
might be ascertained. The distance between the stump 
and shooting-stand was one hundred measured yards: a 

191 


192 


THE PIONEERS. 


foot more or a foot less being thought an invasion of the 
right of one of the parties. The negro affixed his own 
price to every bird, and the terms of the chance ; but when 
these were once established, he was obliged by the strict 
principles of public justice that prevailed in the country, 
to admit any adventurer who might offer. 

The throng consisted of some twenty or thirty young men, 
most of whom had rifles, and a collection of all the boys 
in the village. The little urchins, clad in coarse but warm 
garments, stood gathered around the more distinguished 
marksmen, with their hands stuck under their waistbands, 
listening eagerly to the boastful stories of skill that had 
been exhibited on former occasions, and were already emu- 
lating in their hearts these wonderful deeds in gunnery. 

The chief speaker was the man who had been mentioned 
by Natty as Billy Kirby. This fellow, whose occupation 
when he did labor was that of clearing lands,, or chopping 
jobs, was of great stature, and carried, in his very air, the 
index of his character. He was a noisy, boisterous, reck- 
less lad, whose good-natured eye contradicted the bluntness 
and bullying tenor of his speech. For weeks he would 
lounge around the taverns of the county, in a state of per- 
fect idleness, or doing small jobs for his liquor and his 
meals, and cavilling with applicants about the prices of his 
labor : frequently preferring idleness to an abatement of a 
tittle of his independence, or a cent in his wages. But when 
these embarrassing points were satisfactorily arranged, he 
would shoulder his axe and his rifle, slip his arms through 
the straps of his pack, and enter the woods with the tread 
of a Hercules. His first object was to learn his limits, 
round which he would pace, occasionally freshening, with 
a blow of his axe, the marks on the boundary trees; and 
then he would proceed with an air of great deliberation, to 


I 


the centre of his premises, and, throwing aside his super- 
fluous garments, measure, with a knowing eye, one or two 
of the nearest trees that were towering apparently into the 
very clouds as he gazed upwards. Commonly. selecting one 
of the most noble for the first trial of his power, he would 
approach it with a listless air, whistling a low tune; and 


THE PIONEERS. 


193 


wielding his axe with a certain flourish, not unlike the 
salutes of a fencing master, he would strike a light blow 
into the bark, and measure his distance. The pause that 
followed was ominous of the fall of the forest which had 
flourished there for centuries. The heavy and brisk blows 
that he struck were soon succeeded by the thundering 
report of the tree, as it came, flrst cracking and threaten- 
ing, with the separation of its own last ligaments, then 
threshing and tearing with its branches the tops of its sur- 
rounding brethren, and Anally meeting the ground with a 
shock but little inferior to an earthquake. From that 
moment the sounds of the axe were ceaseless, while the 
falling of the trees was like a distant cannonading; and 
the daylight broke into the depths of the woods with the 
suddenness of a winter morning. 

For days, weeks, nay mdnths, Billy Kirby would toil 
with an ardor that evinced his native spirit, and with an 
effect that seemed magical, until, his chopping being ended, 
his stentorian lungs could be heard emitting sounds, as he 
called to his patient oxen, which rang through the hills 
like the cries of an alarm. He had been often heard, on a 
mild summer’s evening, a long mile across the vale of 
Templeton; when the echoes from the mountains would take 
up his cries, until they died away in feeble sounds from 
the distant rocks that overhung the lake. His piles, or to 
use the language of the country, his logging, ended, with a 
despatch that could only accompany his dexterity and Her- 
culean strength, the jobber would collect together his imple- 
ments of labor, light the heaps of timber, and march away 
under the blaze of the prostrate forest, like the conqueror 
of some city, who, having first prevailed over his adversary, 
applies the torch as the finishing blow to his conquest. For 
a long time Billy Kirby would then be seen, sauntering 
around the taverns, the rider of scrub-races, the bully of 
cock-fights, and not unfrequently the hero of such sports as 
the one in hand. 

Between him and the Leather-stocking, there had long 
existed a jealous rivalry on the point of skill with the 
rifle, Notwithstanding the long practice of Natty, it was 


o 


194 


THE PIONEERS. 


commonly supposed that the steady nerves and quick eye 
of the wood-chopper rendered him his equal. The compe- | 
tition had, however, been confined hitherto to boastings, 
and comparisons made from their success in various hunt- | 
ing excursions; but this was the first time that they had j 
ever come in open collision. A good deal of higgling about \ 
the price of the choicest bird had taken place between Billy | 
Kirby and its owner before Natty and his companions re- j 
joined the sportsmen. It had, however, been settled at j 
one shilling^ a shot, which was the highest sum ever j 
exacted, the black taking care to protect himself from j 
losses as much as possible, by the conditions of the sport. 
The turkey was already fastened at the “ mark,^’ but its 
body was entirely hid by the surrounding snow, nothing 
being visible but its red swelling head and its long neck. 

If the bird was injured by any bullet that struck below the 
snow, it was to continue the property of its present owner ; 
but if a feather was touched in a visible part, the animal 
became the prize of the successful adventurer. 

These terms were loudly proclaimed by the negro, who was 
seated in the snow, in a somewhat hazardous vicinity to his 
favorite bird, when Elizabeth and her cousin approached the 
noisy sportsmen. The sounds of mirth and contention sen- 
sibly lowered at this unexpected visit ; but, after a moment’s 
pause, the curious interest exhibited in the face of the young 
lady, together with her smiling air, restored the freedom of 
the morning ; though it was somewhat chastened, both in lan- 
guage and vehemence, by the presence of such a spectator. 

“ Stand out of the way there, boys ! ” cried the wood- 
chopper, who was placing himself at the shooting-point — 
“stand out of the way, you little rascals, or I Avill shoot 
through you. Now Brom, take leave of your turkey.” 

“ Stop ! ” cried the young hunter ; “ I am a candidate for i 
a chance. Here is my shilling, Brom; I wish a shot too.” ■ 

1 Before the revolution, each province had its own money of account, 
though neither coined any hut copper pieces. In New York the Spanish 
dollar was divided into eight shillings, each of the value of a fraction more 
than sixpence sterling. At present the Union has provided a decimal sys- 
tem, with coins to represent it. . ' 


THE PIONEERS. 


195 


“You may wish it in welcome,” cried Kirby, “but if I 
ruffle the gobbler’s feathers, how are you to get it ? Is 
money so plenty in your deerskin pocket, that you pay for 
a chance that you may never have? ” 

“How know you, sir, how plenty money is in my 
pocket ? ” said the youth fiercely. “ Here is my shilling, 
Brom, and I claim a right to shoot.” 

“Don’t be crabbed, my boy,” said the other, who was 
very coolly fixing his flint. “ They say you have a hole in 
your left shoulder, yourself: so I think Broin may give 
you a fire for haff price. It will take a keen one to hit 
that bird, I can tell you, my lad, even if I give you a 
chance, which is what I have no mind to do.” 

“Don’t be boasting, Billy Kirby,” said Natty, throwing 
the breech of his rifle into the snow, and leaning on its 
barrel; “you’ll get but one shot at the creater, for if the 
lad misses his aim, which wouldn’t be a wonder if he did, 
with his arm so stiff and sore, you’ll find a good piece and 
an old eye coming a’ter you. Maybe it’s true that I can’t 
shoot as I used to could, but a hundred yards is a short 
distance for a long rifle.” 

“What, old Leather-stocking, are you out this morning? ” 
cried his reckless opponent. “Well, fair play’s a jewel. 
I’ve the lead of you, old fellow; so here goes for a dry 
throat or a good dinner.” 

The countenance of the negro evinced not only all the 
interest which his pecuniary adventure might occasion, but 
also the keen excitement that the sport produced in the 
others, though with a very different wish as to the result. 
While the wood-chopper was slowly and steadily raising 
his rifle, he bawled — 

“ Fair play, Billy Kirby — stand back — make ’em stand 
back, boys — gib a nigger fair play — poss-up, gobbler; 
shake a head, fool; don’t you see ’em taking aim?” 

These cries, which were intended as much to distract 
the attention of the marksman as for anything else, were 
fruitless. 

The nerves of the wood-chopper were not so easily 
shaken, and he took his aim with the utmost deliberation. 


196 


THE PIONEERS. 


Stillness prevailed for a moment, and he fired. The head of 
the turkey was seen to dash on one side, and its wings were 
spread in momentary fluttering; but it settled itself down 
calmly into its bed of snow, and glanced its eyes uneasily 
around. Tor a time long enough to draw a deep breath, 
not a sound was heard. The silence was then broken by 
the noise of the negro, who laughed, and shook his body, 
with all kinds of antics, rolling over in the snow in the 
excess of delight. 

‘‘Well done a gobbler,’’ he cried, jumping up and affect- 
ing to embrace his bird; “I tell ’em to' poss-up, and you 
see ’em dodge. Gib anoder shillin’, Billy, and hab anoder 
shot.” 

“]sl’o — the shot is mine,” said the young hunter; “you 
have my money already. Leave the mark, and let me try 
my luck.” 

“Ah! it’s but money thrown away, lad,” said Leather- 
stocking. “A turkey’s head and neck is but a small mark 
for a new hand and a lame shoulder. You’d best let me 
take the fire, and maybe we can make some settlement 
with the lady about the bird.” 

“The chance is mine,” said the young hunter. “Clear 
the ground that I may take it.” 

The discussions and disputes concerning the last shot 
were now abating, it having been determined that if the 
turkey’s head had been anywhere but just where it was 
at the moment, the bird must certainly have been killed. 
There was not much excitement produced by the prepara- 
tions of the youth, who proceeded in a hurried manner to 
take his aim, and was in the act of pulling the trigger, 
when he was stopped by Natty. 

“Your hand shakes, lad,” he said, “and you seem over 
eager. Bullet wounds are apt to weaken flesh, and to my 
judgment, you’ll not shoot so well as in common. If you 
will fire, you should shoot quick, before there is time to 
shake off the aim.” 

“Fair play,” again shouted the negro; “fair play — gib 
a nigger fair play. What right a Nat-Bumppo advise a 
young man? Let ’em shoot — clear a ground.” 


THE PIONEERS. 


197 


The youth fired with great rapidity, but no motion was 
made by the turkey; and when the examiners for the ball 
returned from the '‘mark,'' they declared that he had missed 
the stump. 

Elizabeth observed the change in his countenance, and 
could not help feeling surprise, that one so evidently supe- 
rior to his companions should feel a trifling loss so, sen- 
sibly. But her own champion was now preparing to enter 
the lists. 

The mirth of Brom, which had been again excited, 
though in a much smaller degree than before, by the fail- 
ure of the second adventurer, vanished the instant Natty 
took his stand. His skin became mottled with large brown 
spots, that fearfully sullied the lustre of his native ebony, 
while his enormous lips gradually compressed around two 
rows of ivory that had hitherto been shining in his visage, 
like pearls set in jet. His nostrils, at all times the most 
conspicuous features of his face, dilated, until they covered 
the greater part of the diameter of his countenance ; while 
his brown and bony hands unconsciously grasped the snow 
crust near him, the excitement of the moment completely 
overcoming his native dread of cold. 

While these indications of apprehension were exhibited 
in the sable owner of the turkey, the man who gave rise to 
this extraordinary emotion was as calm and collected as if 
there was not to be a single spectator of his skill. 

“ I was down in the Hutch settlements on the Schoharie, " 
said Natty, carefully removing the leather guard from the 
lock of his rifle, “ just before the breaking out of the last 
war, and there was a shooting match among the boys; so I 
took a hand. I think I opened a good many Dutch eyes 
that day; for I won the powder-horn, three bars of lead, 
and a pound of as good powder as ever flashed in pan. 
Lord! how they did swear in Jarman! They did tell me 
of one drunken Dutchman who said he'd have the life of 
me before I got back to the lake ag'in. But if he had put 
his rifle to his shoulder with evil intent God would have 
punished him for it; and even if the Lord didn't, and he 
had missed his aim, I know one that would have given him 


198 


THE PIONEERS. 


as good as lie sent, and better too, if good shooting could 
come into the ’count.” 

By this time the old hunter was ready for his business, 
and throwing his right leg far behind him, and stretching 
his left arm along the barrel of his piece, he raised it tow- 
ards the bird. Every eye glanced rapidly from the marks- 
man »to the mark ; but at the moment when each ear was 
expecting the report of the rifle, they were disappointed by 
the ticking sound of the flint. 

“A snap, a snap!” shouted the negro, springing from 
his crouching posture like a madman, before his bird. A 
snap good as fire — Natty Bumppo gun he snap — Natty 
Bumppo miss a turkey I ” 

“Natty Bumppo hit a nigger,” said the indignant old 
hunter, “ if you don’t get out of the way, Brom. It’s eon- 
trary to the reason of the thing, boy, that a snap should 
count for a fire, when one is nothing more than a fire-stone 
striking a steel pan, and the other is sudden death; so get 
out of my way, boy, and let me show Billy Kirby how to 
shoot a Christmas turkey.” 

“ Gib a nigger fair play! ” cried the black, who continued 
resolutely to maintain his post, and making that appeal to 
the justice of his auditors, which the degraded condition of 
his caste so naturally suggested. “ Eberybody know dat snap 
as good as fire. Leab it to Massa Jone — leab it to lady.” 

“Sartain,” said the wood-chopper; “it’s the law of the 
game in this part of the country. Leather-stocking. If you 
fire ag’in you must pay up the other shilling. I b’lieve I’ll 
try luck once more myself; so Brom, here’s my money, and 
I take the next fire.” 

“It’s likely you know the laws of the woods better than 
I do, Billy Kirby,” returned Natty. “You come in with 
the settlers, with an ox-goad in your hand, and I come in 
with moccasins on my feet, and with a good rifle on my 
shoulder, so long back as afore the old war. Which is 
likely to know the best? I say no man need tell me that 
snapping is as good as firing when I pull the trigger.” 

“Leab it to Massa Jone,” said the alarmed negro ; “he 
know eberyting.” - 


THE PIONEERS. 


199 


This appeal to the knowledge of Kichard was too flatter- 
ing to be unheeded. He therefore advanced a little from 
the spot whither the delicacy of Elizabeth had induced her 
to withdraw, and gave the following opinion, with the 
gravity that the subject and his own rank demanded: 

‘‘There seems to be a difference in opinion,’’ he said, 
“on the subject of Nathaniel Bumppo’s right to shoot at 
Abraham Freeborn’s turkey, without the said Nathaniel 
paying one shilling for the privilege.” This fact was too 
evident to be denied, and after pausing a moment, that the 
audience might digest his premises, Eichard proceeded. 
“It seems proper that I should decide this question, as I 
am bound to preserve the peace of the county; and men 
with deadly weapons in their hands should not be heed- 
lessly left to contention, and their own malignant passions. 
It appears that there is no agreement, either in writing or 
in words, on the disputed point ; therefore we must reason 
from analogy, which is, as it were, comparing one thing 
with another. Now, in duels, where both parties shoot, it 
is generally the rule that a snap is a fire; and if such is the 
rule, where the party has a right to fire back again, it seems 
to me unreasonable to say, that a man may stand snapping 
at a defenceless turkey all day. I therefore am of opinion 
that Nathaniel Bumppo has lost his chance, and must pay 
another shilling before he renews his right.” 

As this opinion came from so high a quarter, and was 
delivered with effect, it silenced all murmurs — for the 
whole of the spectators had begun to take sides with great 
warmth — except from the Leather-stocking himself. 

“I think Miss Elizabeth’s thoughts should be taken,” 
said Natty. “I’ve known the squaws give very good 
counsel when the Indians have been dumbfoundered. If 
she says that I ought to lose, I agree to give it up.” 

“Then I adjudge you to be a loser for this time,” said 
Miss Temple; “but pay your mopey and renew your 
chance; unless Brom will sell me the bird for a dollar. 
I will give him the money, and save the life of the poor 
victim.” 

This proposition was evidently but little relished by any 


200 


THE PIONEERS. 


of the listeners, even the negro feeling the evil excitement j 
of the chances. In the meanwhile, as Billy Kirby was pre- I 
paring himself for another shot, Katty left the stand, with 
an extremely dissatisfied manner, muttering — | 

There hasn’t been such a thing as a good flint sold at | 
the foot of the lake since the Indian traders used to come k 
into the country; and if a body should go into the flats | 
along the streams in the hills to hunt for such a thing, it’s j 
ten to one but they will be all covered up with the plough. ! 
Heigho! it seems to me that just as the game grows scarce, j 
and a body wants the best ammunition to get a livelihood, i 
everything that’s bad falls on him like a judgment. But 
I’ll change the stone, for Billy Kirby hasn’t the eye for 
such a mark, I know.” 

The wood-chopper seemed now entirely sensible that his 
reputation depended on his care; nor did he neglect any 
means to insure success. He drew up his rifle, and renewed 
his aim again and again, still appearing reluctant to fire. 
No sound was heard from even Brom, during these porten- 
tous movements, until Kirby discharged his piece, with 
the same want of success as before. Then, indeed, the 
shouts of the negro rang through the bushes, and sounded 
among the trees of the neighboring forest like the outcries 
of a tribe of Indians. He laughed, rolling his head first on 
one side, then on the other, until nature seemed exhausted 
with mirth. He danced until his legs were wearied with 
motion, in the snow; and, in short, he exhibited all that 
violence of joy that characterizes the mirth of a thoughtless 
negro. 

The wood-chopper had exerted all his art, and felt a pro- 
portionate degree of disappointment at the failure. He first 
examined the bird with the utmost attention, and more than 
once suggested that he had touched its feathers; but the 
voice of the multitude was against him, for it felt disposed 
to listen to the often j^epeated cries of the black, to “ gib a 
nigger fair play.” 

Finding it impossible to make out a title to the bird, 
Kirby turned fiercely to the black, and said — 

“ Shut your oven, you crow ! Where is the man that can 


THE PIONEERS. 


201 


hit a turkey’s head at a hundred yards? I was a fool for 
trying. You needn’t make an uproar, like a falling pine 
tree, about it. Show me the man who can do it.” 

“Look thisaway, Billy Kirby,” said Leather-stocking, 
“and let them clear the mark, and I’ll show you a man 
who’s made better shots afore now, and that when he’s been 
hard pressed by the savages and wild beasts.” 

“Perhaps there is one whose rights come before ours. 
Leather-stocking,” said Miss Temple; “if so, we will waive 
our privilege.” 

“ If it be me that you have reference to, ” said the young 
hunter, “I shall decline another chance. My shoulder is 
yet weak, I find.” 

Elizabeth regarded his manner, and thought that she 
could discern a tinge on his cheek that spoke the shame of 
conscious poverty. She said no more, but suffered her own 
champion to make a trial. Although Natty Bumppo had 
certainly made hundreds of more momentous shots at his 
enemies or his game, yet he never exerted himself more to 
excel. He raised his piece three several times ; once to get 
his range; once to calculate his distance; and once because 
the bird, alarmed by the death-like stillness, turned its head 
quickly to examine its foes. But the fourth time he fired. 
The smoke, the report, and the momentary shock, prevented 
most of the spectators from instantly knowing the result; 
but Elizabeth, when she saw her champion drop the end 
of his rifle in the snow and open his mouth in one of its 
silent laughs, and then proceed very coolly to recharge his 
piece, knew that he had been successful. The boys rushed 
to the mark, and lifted the turkey on high, lifeless, and 
with nothing but the remnant of a head. 

“ Bring in the creater, ” said Leather-stocking, “ and put 
it at the feet of the lady. I was her deputy in the matter, 
and the bird is her property.” 

“And a good deputy you have proved yourself,” returned 
Elizabeth, — “so good, cousin Eichard, that I would advise 
you- to remember his qualities.” She paused, and the 
gaiety that beamed on her face gave place to a more serious 
earnestness. She even blushed a little as she turned to the 


202 


THE PIONEERS. 


young hunter, and, with the charm of a woman’s manner, 
added — “ But it was only to see an exhibition of the far- 
famed skill of Leather-stocking, that I tried my fortunes. 
Will you, sir, accept the bird as a small peace-offering for 
the hurt that prevented your own success?” 

The expression with which the youth received this present 1 
was indescribable. He appeared to yield to the blandish- 
ment of her air, in opposition to a strong inward impulse 
to the contrary. He bowed, and raised the victim silently 
from her feet, but continued silent. 

Elizabeth handed the black a piece of silver as a remu- 
neration for his loss, which had some effect in again unbend- 
ing his muscles, and then expressed to her companion her 
readiness to return homeward. 

Wait a minute, cousin Bess,” cried Eichard; “there is 
an uncertainty about the rules of this sport that it is proper 
I should remove. If you will appoint a committee, gentle- 
men, to wait on me this morning, 1 will draw up in writing 
a set of regulations — ” He stopped, with some indigna- 
tion, for at that instant a hand was laid familiarly on the 
shoulder of the High Sheriff of . 

“A merry Christmas to you, cousin Dickon,” said Judge 
Temple, who had approached the party unperceived: “I 
must have a vigilant eye to my daughter, sir, if you are to 
be seized daily with these gallant fits. I admire the taste 
which would introduce a lady to such scenes ! ” 

“It is her own perversity, ’duke,” cried the disappointed 
Sheriff, who felt the loss of the first salutation as grievously 
as many a man would a much greater misfortune; “and I 
must say that she comes honestly by it. I led her out 
to show her the improvements, but away she scampered, 
through the snow, at the first sound of fire-arms, the same 
as if she had been brought up in a camp instead of a first- 
rate boarding-school. I do think. Judge Temple, that 
such dangerous amusements should be suppressed by stat- 
ute ; nay, I doubt whether they are not already indictable 
at common law.” 

“Well, sir, as you are Sheriff of the county, it becomes 
your duty to examine into the matter,” returned the smil- 


THE PIONEERS. 


203 


ing Marmaduke. perceive that Bess has executed her 
commission, and I hope it met with a favorable reception.” 
.Richard glanced his eye at the packet which he held in his 
hand, and the slight anger produced by disappointment 
vanished instantly. 

‘‘Ah! ’duke, my dear cousin,” he said, “step a little on 
one side; I have something I would say to you.” Marma- 
duke complied, and the Sheriff led him to a little distance 
in the bushes, and continued — “First, ’duke, let me thank 
you for your friendly interest with the Council and the Gov- 
ernor, without which, I am confident that the greatest merit 
would avail but little. But we are sisters’ children — we 
are sisters’ children; and you may use me like one of your 
horses; ride me or drive me, ’duke, I am wholly yours. 
But in my humble opinion, this young companion of 
Leather-stocking requires looking after. He has a very 
dangerous propensity for turkey.” 

“ Leave him to my management, Dickon,” said the Judge, 
“and I will cure his appetite by indulgence. It is with 
him that I would speak. Let us rejoin the sportsmen.” 


CHAPTEE XVIII. 


Poor wretch ! the mother that him hare )r ! 

If she had been in presence there, | ; 

In his wan face, and sunburnt hair, ^ | 

She had not known her child. 

Scott. 

It diminished, in no degree, the effect produced by the 
conversation which passed between Judge Temple and the 
young hunter, that the former took the arm of his daughter 
and drew it through his own, when he advanced from the ' 
spot whither Eichard had led him to that where the youth 
was standing, leaning on his rifle, and contemplating the 
dead bird at his feet. The presence of Marmaduke did not 
interrupt the sports, which were resumed by loud and clam- 
orous disputes concerning the conditions of a chance, that 
involved the life of a bird of much inferior quality to the 
last. Leather-stdcking and Mohegan had alone drawn aside 
to their youthful companion ; and, although in the immedi- 
ate vicinity of such a throng, the following conversation 
was heard only by those who were interested in it. 

^‘I have greatly injured you, Mr. Edwards,” said the 
Judge; but the sudden and inexplicable start, with which 
the person spoken to received this unexpected address, 
caused him to pause a moment. As no answer was given, 
and the strong emotion exhibited in the countenance of the 
youth gradually passed away, he continued — “ But, fortu- 
nately, it is in some measure in my power to compensate 
you for what I have done. My kinsman, Eichard Jones, 
has received an appointment that will, in future, deprive 
me of his assistance, and leaves me, just now, destitute of 
one who might greatly aid me with his pen. Your manner, 
notwithstanding appearances, is a sufficient proof of your 

204 


THE PIONEERS. 


205 


education, nor will thy shoulder suffer thee to labor, for 
some time to come.’’ (Marmaduke insensibly relapsed into 
the language of the Friends as he grew warm.) “My doors 
are open to thee, my young friend, for in this infant country 
we harbor no suspicions : little offering to tempt the cupid- 
ity of the evil-disposed. Become my assistant, for at least 
a season, and receive such compensation as thy services will 
deserve.” 

There was nothing in the manner or the offer of the 
Judge to justify the reluctance, amounting nearly to loath- 
ing, with which the youth lislened to his speech : but after 
a powerful effort for self-command, he replied — 

“ I would serve you, sir, or any other man, for an honest 
support, for I do not affect to conceal that my necessities 
are very great, even beyond what appearances would indi- 
cate ; but I am fearful that such new duties would interfere 
too much with more important business: so that I must 
decline your offer, and depend on my rifle, as before, for 
subsistence.” 

Eichard here took occasion to whisper to the young 
lady, who had shrunk a little from the foreground of the 
picture — 

“ This, you see, cousin Bess, is the natural reluctance of 
a half-breed to leave the savage state. Their attachment 
to a wandering life is, I verily believe, unconquerable.” 

“ It is a precarious life, ” observed Marmaduke, without 
hearing the Sheriff ’s-observation, “and one that brings more 
evils with it than present suffering. Trust me, young 
friend, my experience is greater than thine, when I tell 
thee, that the unsettled life of these hunters is of vast dis- 
advantage for temporal purposes, and it totally removes one 
from the influence of more sacred things.” 

“No, no. Judge,” interrupted the Leather-stocking, who 
was hitherto unseen, or disregarded; “take him into your 
shanty in welcome, but tell him truth. I have lived in the 
woods for forty long years, and have spent flve at a time 
without seeing the light of a clearing bigger than a wind- 
row in the trees; and I should like to know where you’ll 
find a man, in his sixty-eighth year, who can get an easier 


206 


THE PIONEERS. 




living, for all your betterments and your deer-laws: and, 
as for honesty, or doing what^s right between man and 
man. I’ll not turn my back to the longest-winded deacon 
on your Patent.” 

‘‘Thou art an exception. Leather-stocking,” returned the 
Judge, nodding good-naturedly at the hunter; “for thou| 
hast a temperance unusual in thy class, and a hardihood 
exceeding thy years. But this youth is made of materials 
too precious to be wasted in the forest. I entreat thee to 
join my family, if it be but till thy arm be healed. My 
daughter here, who is mistress of my dwelling, will tell 
thee that thou art welcome.” 

“Certainly,” said Elizabeth, whose earnestness was a lit- 
tle checked by female reserve. “ The unfortunate would be 
welcome at any time, but doubly so when we feel that we 
have occasioned the evil ourselves.” 

“Yes,” said Richard, “and if you relish turkey, young 
man, -there are plenty in the coops, and of the best kind, 

I can assure you.” 

Finding himself thus ably seconded, Marmaduke pushed 
his advantage to the utmost. He entered into a detail of 
the duties that would attend the situation, and circum- 
stantially mentioned the reward, and all those points 
which are deemed of importance among men of business. 
The youth listened in extreme agitation. There was an 
evident contest in his feelings ; at times he appeared to 
wish eagerly for the change, and then again the incompre- 
hensible expression of disgust would cross his features, 
like a dark cloud obscuring a noonday sun. 

The Indian, in whose manner the depression of self- 
abasement was most powerfully exhibited, listened to the 
offers of the Judge with an interest that increased with 
each syllable. Gradually he drew nigher to the group; and 
when, with his keen glance, he detected the most marked 
evidence of yielding in the countenance of his young com- 
panion, he changed at once from his attitude and look of 
shame to the front of an Indian warrior, and moving, with 
great dignity, closer to the parties, he spoke — 

“Listen to your Father,” he said; “his words are old. 


THE PIONEERS. 


207 


Let the Young Eagle and the Great Land Chief eat to- 
gether ; let them sleep, without fear, near each other. The 
children of Miquon love not blood ; they are just, and will 
do right. The sun must rise and set often, before men can 
make one family ; it is not the work of a day, but of many 
winters. The Mingos and the Delawares are born enemies; 
their blood can never mix in the wigwam; it never will 
run in the same stream in the battle. What makes the 
brother of Miquon and the Young Eagle foes? They are 
of the same tribe: their fathers and mothers are one. 
Learn to wait, my son : you are a Delaware, and an Indian 
warrior knows how to be patient.” 

This figurative address seemed to have great weight with 
the young man, who gradually yielded to the representa- 
tions of Marmaduke, and eventually consented to his 
proposal. It was, however, to be^ an experiment only; 
and if either of the parties thought fit to rescind the 
engagement, it was left at his option so to do. The 
remarkable and ill-concealed reluctance of the youth to 
accept of an offer which most men in his situation Ivould 
consider as an unhoped-for elevation, occasioned no little 
surprise in those to whom he was a stranger; and it left a 
slight impression to his disadvantage. When the parties 
separated, they very naturally made the subject the topic 
of a conversation, which we shall relate ; first commencing 
with the Judge, his daughter, and Richard, who were 
slowly pursuing the way back to the mansion-house. 

^‘1 have surely endeavored to remember the holy man- 
dates of our Redeemer, when He bids us ‘love them who 
despitefully use you, ’ in my intercourse with this incom- 
prehensible boy,” said Marmaduke. “I know not what 
there is in my dwelling to frighten a lad of his years, 
unless it may be thy presence and visage, Bess.” 

“ISTo, no,” said Richard, with great simplicity; “it is 
not cousin Bess. But when did you ever know a half- 
breed, Muke, who could bear civilization? For that mat- 
ter, they are worse than the savages themselves. Did you 
notice how knock-kneed he stood, Elizabeth, and what a 
wild look he had in his eyes?” 


208 


THE PIONEERS. 


“ I heeded not his eyes, nor his knees, which would be 
all the better for a little humbling. Eeally, my dear sir, 
I think you did exercise the Christian virtue of patience to 
the utmost. I was disgusted with his airs, long before he 
consented to make one of our family. Truly, we are much 
honored by the association ! In what apartment is he to be 
placed, sir; and at what table is he to receive his nectar and 
ambrosia ? 

“With Benjamin and Eemarkable, ’’ interrupted Mr. 
Jones; “you surely would not make the youth eat with 
the blacks ! He is part Indian, it is true ; but the natives 
hold the negroes in great contempt. No, no; he would 
starve before he would break a crust with the negroes.’’ 

“ I am but too happy, Dickon, to tempt him to eat with 
ourselves,” said Marmaduke, “to think of offering even the 
indignity you propose.” 

“Then, sir,” said Elizabeth, with an air that was 
slightly affected, as if submitting to her father’s orders 
in opposition to her own will, “ it is your pleasure that he 
be a gentleman.” 

“ Certainly ; he is to fill the station of one. Let him re- 
ceive the treatment that is due to his place, until we find 
him unworthy of it.” 

“Well, well, ’duke,” cried the Sheriff, “you will find it 
no easy matter to make a gentleman of him. The old 
proverb says Hhat it takes three generations to make a 
gentleman. ’ There was my father, whom everybody knew ; 
my grandfather was an M.D., and his father a D.D. ; and 
his father came from England. I never could come at the 
truth of his origin; but he was either a great merchant in 
London, or a great country lawyer, or the youngest son of 
a bishop.” 

“Here is a true American genealogy for you,” said 
Marmaduke, laughing. “It does very well till you get 
across the water, where, as everything is obscure, it is cer- 
tain to deal in the superlative. You are sure that your 
English progenitor was great, Dickon, whatever his pro- 
fession might have been?” 

“To be sure I ato,” returned the other. “I have heard 


THE PIONEERS. 


209 


my old aunt talk of him by the month. We are of a good 
family, Judge Temple, and have never filled any but hon- 
orable stations in life.’’ 

I marvel that you should be satisfied with so scanty a 
provision of gentility in the olden time, Dickon. Most of 
the American genealogists commence their traditions, like 
the stories for children, with three brothers, taking espe- 
cial care that one of the triumvirate shall be the progenitor 
, of any of the same name who may happen to be better fur- 
nished with worldly gear than themselves. But, here all 
are equal who know how to conduct themselves with pro- 
priety; and Oliver Edwards comes into my family on a 
footing with both the High Sheriff and the Judge.” 

“Well, ’duke, I call this democracy, not republicanism; 
but I say nothing; only let him keep within the law, or I 
shall show him that the freedom of even this country is 
under wholesome restraint.” 

“Surely, Dickon, you will not execute till I condemn! 
But what says Bess to the new inmate? We must pay a 
deference to the ladies in this matter, after all.” 

“Oh, sir!” returned Elizabeth, “I believe I am much 
like a certain Judge Temple in this particular — not easily 
to be turned from my opinion. But, to be serious, although 
1 must think the introduction of a demi-savage into the 
family a somewhat startling event, whomsoever you think 
proper to countenance may be sure of my respect.” 

The Judge drew her arm more closely in his own and 
smiled, while Eichard led the way through the gate of the 
little court-yard in the rear of the dwelling, dealing out his 
ambiguous warnings with his accustomed loquacity. 

On the other hand, the foresters — for the three hunters, 
notwithstanding their difference in character, well deserved 
this common name — pursued their course along the skirts 
of the village in silence. It was not until they had reached 
the lake, and were moving over its frozen surface towards 
the foot of the mountain, where their hut stood, that the 
youth exclaimed — 

“Who would have foreseen this a month since! I have 
consented to serve Marmaduke Temple, — to be an inmate 

p 


210 


THE PIONEERS. 


in the dwelling of the greatest enemy of my race; yet what 
better could I do? The servitude cannot be long; and 
when the motive for submitting to it ceases to exist, I will 
shake it off like the dust from my feet.” 

‘‘Is he a Mingo, that you will call him enemy?” said 
Mohegan. “ The Delaware warrior sits still, and waits the 
time of the Great Spirit. He is no woman, to cry out like 
a child.” 

“Well, I’m mistrustful, John,” said Leather-stocking, in 
whose air there had been, during the whole business, a strong 
expression of doubt and uncertainty. “ They say that there’s 
new laws in the land, and I am sartain that there’s new ways 
in the mountains. One hardly knows the lakes and streams, 
they’ve altered the country so much. I must say I’m mis- 
trustful of such smooth speakers ; for I’ve known the whites 
talk fair when they wanted the Indian lands most. This 
I will say, though I’m white myself, and was born nigh 
York, and of honest parents, too.” 

“ I will submit, ” said the youth ; “ I will forget who I 
am. Cease to remember, old Mohegan, that I am the 
descendant of a Delaware chief, who once was master of 
these noble hills, these beautiful vales, and of this water 
over which we tread. Yes, yes; I will become his bonds- 
man — his slave. Is it not an honorable servitude, old 
man? ” 

“ Old man ! ” repeated the Indian, solemnly, and pausing 
in his walk, as usual, when much excited: “yes; John is 
old. Son of my brother! if Mohegan was young, when 
would his rifle be still? Where would the deer hide, and 
he not find him? But John is old; his hand is the hand of 
a squaw; his tomahawk is a hatchet; brooms and baskets 
are his enemies — he strikes no other. Hunger and old age 
come together. See, Hawk-eye ! when young, he would go 
days and eat nothing; but should he not put the brush on 
the fire now, the blaze would go out. Take the son of 
Miquon by the hand, and he will help you.” 

“I’m not the man I was. I’ll own, Chingachgook,” 
returned the Leather-stocking ; “ but I can go without a 
meal now, on occasion. When we tracked the Iroquois 


THE PIONEERS. 


211 


through the ‘ Beech woods, ’ they drove the game afore 
them, for I hadn’t a morsel to eat from Monday morning 
come Wednesday sundown; and then I shot as fat a buck, 
on the Pennsylvany line, as ever mortal laid eyes on. It 
would have done your heart good to have seen the Delaware 
eat; for I was out scouting and skrimmaging with their 
tribe at the time. Lord! the Indians, lad, lay still, and 
just waited till Providence should send them their game; 
but I foraged about, and put a deer up, and put him down 
too, afore he had made a dozen jumps. I was too weak 
and too ravenous to stop for his flesh; so I took a good 
drink of his blood, and the Indians ate of his meat raw. 
John was there, and John knows. But then starvation 
would be apt to be too much for me now, I will own, 
though I’m no great eater at any time.” 

“Enough is said, my friends,” cried the youth. “I feel 
that everywhere the sacrifice is required at my hands, and 
it shall be made; but say no more, I entreat you; I cannot 
bear this subject now.” 

His companions were silent; and they soon reached the 
hut, which they entered, after removing certain complicated 
and Ingenious fastenings, that were put there apparently to 
guard a property of but very little value. Immense piles of 
snow lay against the log walls of this secluded habitation, 
on one side; while fragments of small trees, and branches 
of oak and chestnut, that had been torn from their parent 
stems by the winds, were thrown into a pile, on the other. 
A small column of smoke rose through a chimney of sticks, 
cemented with clay, along the side of the rock; and had 
marked the snow above with its dark tinges, in a wavy 
line, from the point of emission to another, where the hill 
receded from the brow of a precipice, and held a soil that 
nourished trees of a gigantic growth, that overhung the 
little bottom beneath. 

The remainder of the day passed off as such days are 
commonly spent in a new country. The settlers thronged 
to the academy again, to witness the second effort of Mr. 
Grant; and Mohegan was one of his hearers. But, notwith- 
standing the divine fixed his eyes intently on the Indian, 


212 


THE PIONEERS. 


when he invited his congregation to advance to the table, 
the shame of last night’s abasement was yet too keen in 
the old chief to suffer him to move. 

When the people were dispersing, the clouds that had 
been gathering all the morning, were dense and dirty j and 
before half the curious congregation had reached their dif- 
ferent cabins, that were placed in every glen and hollow of 
the mountains, or perched on the summits of the hills them- 
selves, the rain was falling in torrents. The dark edges of 
the stumps began to exhibit themselves, as the snow settled 
rapidly; the fences of logs and brush, which before had 
been only traced by long lines of white mounds, that ran 
across the valley and up the mountains, peeped out from 
their covering, and the black stubs were momentarily 
becoming more distinct, as large masses of snow and ice 
fell from their sides, under the influence of the thaw. 

Sheltered in the warm hall of her father’s comfortable 
mansion, Elizabeth, accompanied by Louisa Grant, looked 
abroad with admiration at the ever varying face of things 
without. Even the village, which had just before been 
glittering with the color of the frozen element, reluctantly 
dropped its mask, and the houses exposed their dark roofs 
and smoked chimneys. The pines shook off the covering of 
snow, and everything seemed to be assuming its proper hue, 
with a transition that bordered on the supernatural. 


CHAPTER XIX. 


And yet, poor Edwin was no vulgar boy. 

Beattie. 

The close of Christmas day, a.d. 1793, was tempestu' 
ous, but comparatively warm. When darkness had again 
hid the objects in the village from the gaze of Elizabeth, 
she turned from the window, where she had remained while 
the least vestige of light lingered over the tops of the dark 
pines, with a curiosity that was rather excited than appeased 
by the passing glimpses of woodland scenery that she had 
caught during the day. 

With her arm locked in that of Miss Grant, the young 
mistress of the mansion walked slowly up and down the 
hall, musing on scenes that were rapidly recurring to her 
memory, and possibly dwelling, at times, in the sanctuary 
of her thoughts, on the strange occurrences that had led to 
the introduction to her father’s family, of one whose man- 
ners so singularly contradicted the inferences to be drawn 
from his situation. The expiring heat of the apartment, — 
for its great size required a day to reduce its temperature, 
— had given to her cheeks a bloom that exceeded their nat- 
ural color, while the mild and melancholy features of Louisa 
were brightened with a faint tinge, that, like the hectic of 
disease, gave a painful interest to her beauty. 

The eyes of the gentlemen, who were yet seated around 
the rich wines of Judge Temple, frequently wandered from 
the table, that was placed at one end of the hall, to the forms 
that were silently moving over its length. Much mirth, 
and that, at times, of a boisterous kind, proceeded from 
the mouth of Richard; but Major Hartmann was not yet 
excited to his pitch of merriment, and Marmaduke respected 
the presence of his clerical guest too much, to indulge in 

213 


214 


THE PIONEERS. 


even the innocent humor that formed no small ingredient 
in his character. 

Such were, and such continued to be, the pursuits of the 
partyj for half an hour after the shutters were closed, and 
candles were placed in various parts of the hall, as substi- 
tutes for the departing daylight. The appearance of Ben- 
jamin, staggering under the burden of an armful of wood, 
was the first interruption to the scene. 

“ How now, Master Pump ! roared the newly appointed 
Sheriff j “ is there not warmth enough in ’duke’s best Madeira 
to keep up the animal heat through this thaw? Bemember, 
old boy, that the Judge is particular with his beech and 
maple, beginning to dread already a scarcity of the precious 
articles. Ha! ha! ha! ’duke, you are a good, warm-hearted 
relation, I will own, as in duty bound, but you have some 
queer notions about you, after all. ‘Come, let us be jolly, 
and cast away folly.’ ” 

The notes gradually sank into a hum, while the major- 
domo threw down his load, and turning to his interrogator 
with an air of earnestness, replied — 

“Why, look you. Squire Dickens, mayhap there’s a warm 
latitude round about the table there, thof it’s not the stuff 
to raise the heat in my body, neither; the raal Jamaiky 
being the only thing to do that, besides good wood, or some 
such matter as Newcastle coal. But, if I know anything of 
weather, d’ye see, it’s time to be getting all snug, and for 
putting the ports in, and stirring the fires a bit. Mayhap 
I’ve not followed the seas twenty-seven years, and lived 
another seven in these here woods, for nothing, gemmen.” 

“Why, does it bid fair for a change in the weather, 
Benjamin?” inquired the master of the house. 

“There’s a shift of wind, your honor,” returned the 
steward; “and when there’s a shift of wind, you may look 
for a change in this here climate. I was aboard of one of 
Eodney’s fleet, d’ye see, about the time we licked De 
Grasse, Mounsheer Ler Quaw’s countryman, there; and 
the wind was here at the south’ard and east’ard; and I 
was below, mixing a toothful of hot stuff for the captain 
of marines, who dined, d’ye see, in the cabin, that there 


THE PIONEERS. 


215 


very same day; and I suppose he wanted to put out the 
Captain’s fire with a gunroom ingyne: and so, just as I got 
it to my own liking, after tasting pretty often, for the sol- 
dier was difficult to please, slap came the foresail ag’in the 
mast, whiz went the ship round on her heel, like a whirli- 
gig. And a lucky thing was it that our helm was down ; 
for as she gathered starnway she paid off, which was more 
than every ship in the fleet did, or could do. But she 
strained herself in the trough of the sea, and she shipped a 
deal of water over her quarter. I never swallowed so much 
clear water at a time in my life, as I did then, for I was 
looking up the after-hatch at the instant.” 

“ I wonder, Benjamin, that you did not die with a dropsy ! ” 
said Marmaduke. 

“I mought. Judge,” said the old tar, with a broad grin; 
“but there was no need of the med’cine chest for a cure; 
for, as I thought the brew was spoilt fdr the marine’s taste, 
and there was no telling when another sea might come and 
spoil it for mine, I finished the mug on the spot. So then 
all hands was called to the pumps, and there we began to 
ply the pumps — ” 

“Well, but the weather?” interrupted Marmaduke; 
“what of the weather without doors?” 

“ Why, here the wind has been all day at the south, and 
now there’s a lull, as if the last blast was out of the bel- 
lows; and there’s a streak along the mountains, to the 
north ’ard, that, just now, wasn’t wider than the bigness of 
your hand; and then the clouds drive afore it as you’d brail 
a mainsail, and the stars are heaving in sight, like so many 
lights and beacons, put there to warn us to pile on the wood; 
and, if so be that I’m a judge of weather, it’s getting to be 
time to build on a fire; or you’ll have half of them there 
porter bottles, and them dimmy-johns of wine, in the locker 
here, breaking with the frost, afore the morning watch is 
called.” 

“Thou art a prudent sentinel,” said the Judge. “Act 
thy pleasure with the forests, for this night at least.” 

Benjamin did as he was ordered; nor had two hours 
elapsed, before the prudence of his precautions became very 


216 


THE PIONEERS. 


visible. The south wind had, indeed, blown itself out, 
and it was succeeded by the calmness that usually gave 
warning of a serious change in the weather. Long before 
the family retired to rest, the cold had become cuttingly 
severe; and when Monsieur Le Quoi sallied forth, under a 
bright moon, to seek his own abode, he was compelled to 
beg a blanket, in which he might envelop his form, in 
addition to the numerous garments that his sagacity had 
provided for the occasion. The divine and his daughter 
remained as inmates of the mansion-house during the night, 
and the excess of last night’s merriment induced the gentle- 
men to make an early retreat to their several apartments. 
Long before midnight, the whole family were invisible. 

Elizabeth and her friend had not yet lost their senses 
in sleep, when the bowlings of the northwest wind were 
heard around the buildings, and brought with them that 
exquisite sense of comfort that is ever excited under such 
circumstances, in an apartment where the fire has not yet 
ceased to glimmer; and curtains, and shutters, and feathers 
unite to preserve the desired temperature. Once, just as 
her eyes had opened, apparently in the last stage of drow- 
siness, the roaring winds brought with them a long and 
plaintive howl, that seemed too wild for a dog, and yet 
resembled the cries of that faithful animal, when night 
awakens his vigilance, and gives sweetness and solemnity 
to his alarms. The form of Louisa Grant instinctively 
pressed nearer to that of the young heiress, who, finding 
her companion was yet awake, said, in a low tone, as if 
afraid to break a charm with her voice — 

‘‘Those distant cries are plaintive, and even beautiful. 
Can they be the hounds from the hut of Leather-stock- 
ing?” 

“ They are wolves, who have ventured from the mountain, 
or the lake,” whispered Louisa, “and who are only kept 
from the village by the lights. One night, since we have 
been here, hunger drove them to our very door. Oh, what 
a dreadful night it was! But the riches of Judge Temple 
have given him too many safeguards, to leave room for fear 
in this house.” 


THE PIONEERS. 


217 


The enterprise of Judge Temple is taming the very for- 
ests!’’ exclaimed Elizabeth, throwing off the covering, and 
partly rising in the bed. How rapidly is civilization tread- 
ing on the footsteps of nature ! ” she continued, as her eye 
glanced over, not only the comforts, but the luxuries of her 
apartment, and her ear again listened to the distant, but 
often repeated howls from the lake. Finding, however, 
that the timidity of her companion rendered the sounds 
painful to her, Elizabeth resumed her place, and soon for- 
got the changes in the country, with those in her own con- 
dition, in a deep sleep. 

The following morning, the noise of the female servant, 
who entered the apartment to light the fire, awoke the 
females. They arose, and finished the slight preparations 
of their toilets in a clear, cold atmosphere, that penetrated 
through all the defences of even Miss Temple’s warm room. 
When Elizabeth was attired, she approached a window and 
drew its curtain, and throwing open its shutters, she endeav- 
ored to look abroad on the village and the lake. But the 
thick covering of frost, on the glass, while it admitted the 
light, shut out the view. She raised the sash, and then, 
indeed, a glorious scene met her delighted eye. 

The lake had exchanged its covering of unspotted snow 
for a face of dark ice, that reflected the rays of the rising 
sun, like a polished mirror. The houses were clothed in a 
dress of the same description, but which, owing to its posi- 
tion, shone like bright steel; while the enormous icicles, 
that were pendent from every roof, caught the brilliant 
light, apparently throwing it from one to the other, as each 
glittered, on the side next the luminary, with a golden 
lustre, that melted away, on its opposite, into the dusky 
shades of a background. But it was the appearance of the 
boundless forests that covered the hills as they rose, in the 
distance, one over the other, that most attracted the gaze of 
Miss Temple. The huge branches of the pines and hemlocks 
bent with the weight of the ice they supported, while their 
summits rose above the swelling tops of the oaks, beeches, 
and maples, like spires of burnished silver issuing from 
domes of the same material. The limits of the view, in 


218 


THE PIONEERS. 


the west, were marked by an undulating outline of bright 
light, as if, reversing the order of nature, numberless suns 
might momentarily be expected to heave above the horizon. 
In the foreground of the picture, along the shores of the 
lake, and near to the village, each tree seemed studded 
with diamonds. Even the sides of the mountains where 
the rays of the sun could not yet fall, were decorated with 
a glassy coat, that presented every gradation of brilliancy, 
from the first touch of the luminary to the dark foliage of 
the hemlock, glistening through its coat of crystal. In 
short, the whole view was one scene of quivering radiancy, 
as lake, mountains, village, and woods, each emitted a por- 
tion of light, tinged with its peculiar hue, and varied by its 
position and its magnitude. • 

“ See ! ” cried Elizabeth — “ see, Louisa : hasten to the 
window, and observe the miraculous change!’^ 

Miss Grant complied; and, after bending for a moment 
in silence, from the opening, she observed, in a low tone, 
as if afraid to trust the sound of her voice — 

The change is indeed wonderful ! I am surprised that 
he should be able to effect it so soon.’’ 

Elizabeth turned in amazement, to hear so scepji^ical a 
sentiment from one educated like her companion; but was 
surprised to find that, instead of looking at the view, the 
mild blue eyes of Miss Grant were dwelling on the form of 
a well-dressed young man, who was standing before the 
door of the building, in earnest conversation with her 
father. A second look was necessary, before she was able 
to recognize the person of the young hunter, in a jdain, but 
assuredly the ordinary, garb of a gentleman, (j 

“Everything in this magical country seems "^o border 
on the marvellous,” said Elizabeth; “and among all the 
changes, this is certainly not the least wonderful. The 
actors are as unique as the scenery.” 

Miss Grant colored, and drew in her head. 

“I am a simple country girl. Miss Temple, and I am 
afraid you will find me but a poor companion,” she said. 
“I — I am not sure that I understand all you say. But I 
really thought that you wished me to notice the alteration 


THE PIONEERS. 219 

in Mr. Edwards. Is it not more wonderful when we recol- 
lect his origin? They say he is part Indian.” 

“He is a genteel savage: but let us go down, and give 
the Sachem his tea ; — for I suppose he is a descendant of 
King Philip, if not a grandson of Pocahontas.” 

The ladies were met in the hall by Judge Temple, who 
took his daughter aside to apprise her of that alteration ‘in 
the appearance of their new inmate, with which she was 
already acquainted. 

“He appears reluctant to converse on his former situa- 
tion,” continued Marmaduke; “but I gather from his dis- 
course, as is apparent from his manner, that he has seen 
better days; and I really am inclining to the opinion of 
Kichard, as to his origin; for it was no unusual thing for 
the Indian agents to rear their children in a laudable man- 
ner, and — ” 

“Very well, my dear sir,” interrupted his daughter, 
laughing and averting her eyes; “it is all well enough, 
I dare say; but as I do not understand a word of the 
Mohawk language, he must be content to speak English; 
and as for his behavior, I trust to your discernment to 
control it.” 

“Ay! but, Bess,” said the Judge, detaining her gently 
with his hand, “nothing must be said to him of his past 
life. This he has begged particularly of me, as a favor. 
He is, perhaps, a little soured, just now, with his wounded 
arm; the injury seems very light, and another time he may 
be more communicative.” 

“Oh! I am not much troubled, sir, with that laudable 
thirst after knowledge, that is called curiosity. I shall 
believe him to be the child of Corn-stalk, or Corn-planter, 
or some other renowned chieftain; possibly of the Big 
Snake himself; and shall treat him as such until he sees 
lit to shave his good-looking head, borrow some half-dozen 
pair of my best ear-rings, shoulder his rifle again, and dis- 
appear as suddenly as he made his entrance. So come, my 
dear sir, and let us not forget the rites of hospitality, for 
the short time he is to remain with us.” 

Judge Temple smiled at the playfulness of his child, and 


220 


THE PIONEERS. 


taking her arm, they entered the breakfast parlor, where 
the young hunter was seated, with an air that showed his 
determination to domesticate himself in the family with as 
little parade as possible. 

Such were the incidents that led to this extraordinary \ 
increase in the family of Judge Temple, where, having ^ 
once established the youth, the subject of our tale requires ‘ 
us to leave him, for a time, to pursue with diligence and ] 
intelligence the employments that were assigned him by j 
Marmaduke. j 

Major Hartmann made his customary visit, and took his i 
leave of the party for the next three months. Mr. Grant [ 
was compelled to be absent much of his time, in remote | 
parts of the country, and his daughter became almost a | 
constant visitor at the mansion-house. Kichard entered, 
with his constitutional eagerness, on the duties of his new j 
office; and, as Marmaduke was much employed with the 
constant applications of adventurers for farms, the winter 
passed swiftly away. The lake was a principal scene for 
the amusements of the young people; where the ladies, in 
their one-horse cutter, driven by Eichard, and attended, 
when the snow would admit of it, by young Edwards, bn 
his skates, spent many hours, taking the benefit of exercise 
in the clear air of the hills. The reserve of the youth 
gradually gave way to time and his situation, though it 
was still evident, to a close observer, that he had frequent 
moments of bitter and intense feeling. 

Elizabeth saw many large openings appear in the sides of 
the mountains during the three succeeding months, where 
different settlers had, in the language of the country, 
^‘made their pitch while the numberless sleighs that 
passed through the village, loaded with wheat and barrels 
of pot-ashes, afforded a clear demonstration that all these 
labors were not undertaken in vain. In short, the whole 
country was exhibiting the bustle of a thriving settlement, 
where the highways were thronged with sleighs, bearing 
piles of rough household furniture ; studded, here and there, 
with the smiling faces of women and children, happy in the 
excitement of novelty; or with loads of produce hastening 


THE PIONEERS. 


221 


to the common market at Albany, that served as so many 
snares to induce the emigrants to enter into those wild 
mountains in search of competence and happiness. 

I he village was alive with business; the artisans increas- 
ing in wealth with the prosperity of the country, and each 
day witnessing some nearer approach to the manners and 
usages of an old-settled town. The man who carried the 
mail, or “the post,’’ as he was called, talked much of run- 
ning a stage, and, once or twice during the winter, he was 
.seen taking a single passenger, in his cutter, through the 
snow-banks, towards the Mohawk, along which a regular 
vehicle glided, semi-weekly, with the velocity of light- 
ning, and under the direction of a knowing whip from the 
“down countries.” Towards spring, divers families, who 
had been into the “old states,” to see their relatives, 
returned, in time to save the snow, frequently bringing 
with them whole neighborhoods, who were tempted by 
their representations to leave the farms of Connecticut and 
Massachusetts, to make a trial of fortune in the woods. 

During all this time, Oliver Edwards, whose sudden ele- 
vation excited no surprise in that changeful country, was 
earnestly engaged in the service of Marmaduke, during the 
days ; but his nights were often spent in the hut of Leather- 
stocking. The intercourse between the three hunters was 
maintained with a certain air of mystery, it is true, but with 
much zeal and apparent interest to all the parties. Even 
Mohegan seldom came to the mansion-hohse, and Natty, 
never; but Edwards sought every leisure moment to visit 
his former abode, from which he would often return in the 
gloomy hours of night, through the snow, or, if detained 
beyond the time at which the family retired to rest, with 
the morning sun. These visits certainly excited much 
speculation in those to whom they were known, but no 
comments were made, excepting occasionally, in whispers 
from Eichard, who would say — 

“ It is not at all remarkable ; — a half-breed can never be 
weaned from the savage ways — and for one of his lineage, 
the boy is much nearer civilization than could, in reason, be 
expected.” 


CHAPTER XX. 


Away : nor let me loiter in my song, 

For we have many a mountain path to tread. 

Byron. 

As the spring gradually approached, the immense piles 
of snow, that by alternate thaws and frosts, and repeated 
storms, had obtained a firmness which threatened a tire- 
some durability, began to yield to the influence of milder 
breezes and a warmer sun. The gates of heaven at times 
seemed to open, and a bland air diffused itself over the earth, 
when animate and inanimate nature would awaken, and, 
for a few hours, the gaiety of spring shone in every eye, 
and smiled on every field. But the shivering blasts from 
the north would carry their chill influence over the scene j 
again, and the dark and gloomy clouds that intercepted the - j 
rays of the sun were not more cold and dreary than the i 
reaction. These struggles between the seasons became ' 
daily more frequent, while the earth, like a victim to con- 
tention, slowly lost the animated brilliancy of winter, with- , 
out obtaining the aspect of spring. 1 

Several weeks were consumed in this cheerless manner, f 
during which the inhabitants of the country gradually | 
changed their pursuits from the social and bustling move- r 
ments of the time of snow, to the laborious and domestic J 
engagements of the coming season. The village was no I 
longer thronged with visitors ; the trade, that had enlivened | 
the shops for several months, began to disappear ; the high- J 
ways lost their shining coats of beaten snow in impassable } 
sloughs, and were deserted by the gay and noisy travellers 
who, in sleighs, had, during the winter, glided along their 
Avindings; and, in short, everything seemed indicative of a 
mighty change, not only in the earth, but in those who de- 
rived their sources of comfort and happiness from its bosom. 

222 


THE PIONEERS. 


223 


The younger members of the family in the mansion- 
house, of which Louisa Grant was now habitually one, were 
by no means indifferent observers of these fluctuating and 
tardy changes. While the snow rendered the roads passable, 
they had partaken largely in the amusements of the winter, 
which included not only daily rides over the mountains, and 
through every valley within twenty miles of them, but 
divers ingenious and varied sources of pleasure, on the 
bosom of their frozen lake. There had been excursions in 
the equipage of Richard, when, with his four horses, he had 
outstripped the winds, as it flew over the glassy ice which 
invariably succeeded a thaw. Then the exciting and dan- 
gerous whirligig ” would be suffered to possess its moment 
of notice. Cutters, drawn by a single horse, and handsleds, 
impelled by the gentlemen, on skates, would each in turn 
be used; and, in short, every source of relief against the 
tediousness of a winter in the mountains was resorted to by 
the family. Elizabeth was compelled to acknowledge to her 
father, that the season, with the aid of his librarjq was 
much less irksome than she had anticipated. 

As exercise in the open air was in some degree necessary 
to the habits of the family, when the constant recurrence of 
frosts and thaws rendered the roads, which were dangerous 
at the most favorable times, utterly impassable for wheels, 
saddle horses were used as substitutes for other conveyances. 
Mounted on small and sure-footed beasts, the ladies would 
again attempt the passages of the mountains, and penetrate 
into every retired glen, where the enterprise of a settler had 
induced him to establish himself. In these excursions they 
were attended by some one or all of the gentlemen of 
the family, as their different pursuits admitted. Young 
Edwards was hourly becoming more familiarized to his 
situation, and not unfrequently mingled in the parties with 
an unconcern and gaiety that for a short time would expel 
all unpleasant recollections from his mind. Habit, and the 
buoyancy of youth, seemed to be getting the ascendency 
over the secret causes of his uneasiness ; though there were 
moments, when the same remarkable expression of disgust 
would cross his intercourse with Marmaduke, that had dis- 


224 


THE PIONEERS. 


tinguished their conversations in the first days of their 
acquaintance. 

It was at the close of the month of March, that the Sheriff 
succeeded in persuading his cousin and her young friend to , 
accompany him in a ride to a hill that was said to overhang 
the lake in a manner peculiar to itself. 

Besides, cousin Bess,’^ continued the indefatigable 
Bichard, we will stop and see the ^ sugar bush ’ of Billy 
Kirby ; he is on the east end of the Bansom lot, making 
sugar for Jared Bansom. There is not a better hand over 
a kettle in the county than that same Kirby. You re- 
member, ’duke, that I had him his first season, in our own 
camp ; and it is not a .wonder that he knows something of 
his trade.” 

^^He’s a good chopper, is Billy,” observed Benjamin, who 
held the bridle of the horse while the Sheriff mounted ; 

“ and he handles an axe much the same as a forecastle-man 
does his marling-spike, or a tailor his goose. They say he’ll 
lift a potash-kettle off the arch alone, tho’ I can’t say that 
I’ve ever seen him do it with my own eyes ; but that is the 
say. And I’ve seen sugar of his making, which, maybe, 
wasn’t as white as an old top-gallantsail, but which my 
friend Mistress Pretty bones, within there, said had the true 
molasses smack to it; and you are not the one. Squire 
Dickens, to be told that Mistress Bemarkable has a remark- 
able tooth for sweet things, in her nut grinder.” j 

The loud laugh that succeeded the wit of Benjamin, and 
in which he participated, with no very harmonious sounds, 
himself, very fully illustrated the congenial temper which 
existed between the pair. Most of its point was, however, 
lost on the rest of the party, who were either mounting 
their horses or assisting the ladies at the moment. When 
all were safely in their saddles, they moved through the 
village in great order. They paused for a moment before 
the door of Monsieur Le Quoi, until he could bestride his 
steed, and then issuing from the little cluster of houses, 
they took one of the principal of those highways that 
centred in the village. i 

As each night brought with it a severe frost, which the 1 


THE riOISIEERS. 


225 


heat of the succeeding day served to dissipate, the eques- 
trians were compelled to proceed singly along the margin 
of the road, where the turf, and fii*mness of the ground, gave 
the horses a secure footing. Very trifling indications of 
vegetation were to be seen, the surface of the earth present- 
ing a cold, wet, and cheerless aspect that chilled the blood. 
The snow yet lay scattered over most of those distant clear- 
ings that were visible in different parts of the mountains ; 
though here and there an opening might be seen, where, as 
the white covering yielded to the season, the bright and 
lively green of the wheat served to enkindle the hopes of 
the husbandman. Nothing could be more marked than the 
contrast between the earth and the heavens ; for, while the 
former presented the dreary view that we have described, 
a warm and invigorating sun was dispensing his heats from 
a sky that contained but a solitary cloud, and through an 
atmosphere that softened the colors of the sensible horizon 
until it shone like a sea of blue. 

Eichard led the way, on this, as on all other occasions, 
that did not require the exercise of unusual abilities ; and 
as he moved along, he essayed to enliven the party with 
the sounds of his experienced voice. 

This is your true sugar weather, ^duke,^^ he cried ; “ a 
frosty night and a sunshiny day. I warrant me that the 
sap runs like a mill-tail up the maples this warm morning. 
It is a pity. Judge, that you do not introduce a little more 
science into the manufactory of sugar among your tenants. 
It might be done, sir, without knowing as much as Doctor 
Franklin — it might be done. Judge Temple.’’ 

The first object of my solicitude, friend Jones,” returned 
Marmaduke, is to protect the sources of this great mine of 
comfort and wealth from the extravagance of the people 
themselves. When this important point shall be achieved, 
it will be in season to turn our attention to an improvement 
in the manufacture of the article. But thou knowest, Eich- 
ard, that I have already subjected our sugar to the process 
of the refiner, and that the result has produced loaves as 
white as the snow on yon fields, and possessing the saccha- 
rine quality in its utmost purity.” 

Q 


226 


THE PIONEERS. 


‘^Saccharine, or turpentine, or any other hne. Judge 
Temple, you have never made a loaf larger than a good- 
sized sugar-plum,’’ returned the Sheriff, “Now, sir, I as- 
sert that no experiment is fairly tried, until it be reduced 
to practical purposes. If, sir, I owned a hundred, or, for 
that matter, two hundred thousand acres of land, as you do, 
I would build a sugar-house in the village ; I would invite 
learned men to an investigation of the subject, — and such 
are easily to be found, sir ; yes, sir, they are not difficult to 
find, — men who unite theory with practice; and I would 
select a wood of young and thrifty trees ; and instead of 
making loaves of the size of a lump of candy, dam’me, 
’duke, but I’d have them as big as a haycock.” 

“ And purchase the eargo of one of those ships that they 
say are going to China,” cried Elizabeth ; “ turn your pot- 
ash-kettles into teareups, the scows on the lake into saucers ; 
bake your cake in yonder lime-kiln, and invite the county 
to a tea-party. How wonderful are the projects of genius ! 
Really, sir, the world is of opinion that Judge Temple has 
tried the experiment fairly, though he did not cause his 
loaves to be cast in moulds of the magnitude that would 
suit your magnificent conceptions.” 

“You may laugh, cousin Elizabeth — you may laugh, 
madam,” retorted Richard, turning himself so much in his 
saddle as to face the party, and making dignified gestures 
with his whip ; “ but I appeal to common sense, good sense, 
or, what is of more importance than either, to the sense of 
taste, which is one of the five natural senses, whether a big 
loaf of sugar is not likely to contain a better illustration of 
a proposition than such a lump as one of your Dutch women 
puts under her tongue when she drinks her tea. There are 
two ways of doing everything; the right way, and the 
wrong way. You make sugar now, I will admit, and you 
may, possibly, make loaf-sugar ; but I take the question to 
be, whether you make the best possible sugar, and in the 
best possible loaves.” 

“Thou art very right, Richard,” observed Marmaduke, with 
a gravity in his air that proved how much he was interested 
ill the subject. “It is very true that we manufacture sugar, 


THE PIONEERS. 


227 


and the inquiry is quite useful, how much? and in what 
maimer ? I hope to live to see the day, when farms and 
plantations shall be devoted to this branch of business. 
Little is known concerning the properties of the tree itself, 
the source of all this wealth ; how much it may be improved 
by cultivation, by the use of the hoe and plough.’’ 

^^Hoe and plough!” roared the Sheriff; — would yon 
set a man hoeing round the root of a maple like this ? ” — 
pointing to one of the noble trees that occur so frequently 
in that part of the country. — “ Hoeing trees ! are you mad, 
’duke ? This is next to hunting for coal ! Poh ! poh ! my dear 
cousin, hear reason, and leave the management of the sugar 
bush to me. Here is Mr. Le Quoi, he has been in the West 
Indies, and has seen sugar made. Let him give an account 
of how it is made there, and you will hear the philosophy 
of the thing. — Well, Monsieur, how is it that you make sugar 
in the West Indies ; anything in Judge Temple’s fashion ? ” 

The gentleman to whom this query was put was mounted 
on a small horse, of no very fiery temperament, and was 
riding with his stirrups so short, as to bring his knees, 
while the animal rose a small ascent in the wood-path they 
were now travelling, into a somewhat hazardous vicinity to 
his chin. There was no room for gesticulation or grace in 
the delivery of his reply, for the mountain was steep and 
slippery; and although the Frenchman had an eye of un- 
common magnitude on either side of his face, they did not 
seem to be half competent to forewarn him of the impedi- 
ments of bushes, twigs, and fallen trees, that were momen- 
tarily crossing his path. With one hand employed in 
averting these dangers, and the other grasping his bridle, to 
check an untoward speed that his horse w^as assuming, the 
native of France responded as follows — 

Sucre ! dey do make sucre in Martinique: mais — mais 
ce n’est pas one tree; — ah — ah — vat you call — je vou- 
drois que ces chemins fussent an diable — vat you call — 
steeck pour le promenade.” 

Cane,” said Elizabeth, smiling at the imprecation which 
the wary Frenchman supposed was understood only by 
himself. 


228 


THE PIONEERS. 


mam’selle, cane.’’ 

^^Yes, yes/’ cried Kichard, ^‘cane is the vulgar name for 
it, but the real term is saccharum officinarum ; and what we 
call the sugar, or hard maple, is acer saccharinum. These 
are the learned names. Monsieur, and are such as, doubtless, 
you well understand.” 

Is this Greek or Latin, Mr. Edwards ? ” whispered Eliza- 
beth to the youth, who was opening a passage for herself and 
her companions through the bushes — ^^or perhaps it is a 
still more learned language, for an interpretation of which 
we must look to you.” 

The dark eye of the young man glanced towards the 
speaker, but its resentful expression changed in a moment. 

I shall remember your doubts. Miss Temple, when next 
I visit my old friend Mohegan, and either his skill, or that 
of Leather-stocking, shall solve them.” 

And are you, then, really ignorant of their language ? ” 

^^Not absolutely; but the deep learning of Mr. Jones is 
more familiar to me, or even the polite masquerade of Mon- 
sieur Le Quoi.” 

“ Do you speak French ? ” said the lady, with quickness. 

“ It is a common language with the Iroquois, and through 
the Canadas,” he answered, smiling. 

Ah ! but they are Mingos, and your enemies.” 

‘‘It will be well for me if I have no worse,” said the 
youth, dashing ahead with his horse, and putting an end to 
the evasive dialogue. 

The discourse, however, was maintained with great vigor 
by Eichard, until they reached an open wood on the summit 
of the mountain, where the hemlocks and pines totally dis- 
appeared, and a grove of the very trees that formed the 
subject of debate covered the earth with their tall, straight 
trunks and spreading branches, in stately pride. The under- 
wood had been entirely removed from this grove, or bush as 
in conjunction with the simple arrangements for boiling, it 
was called, and a wide space of many acres was cleared, 
which might be likened to the dome of a mighty temple, 
to which the maples formed the columns, their tops com- 
posing the capitals, and the heavens the arch. A deep and 


THE PIONEERS. 


229 


careless incision liad been made into each tree, near its root, 
into which little sprouts, formed of the bark of the alder, 
or of the sumach, were fastened ; and a trough, roughly dug 
out of the linden, or basswood, was lying at the root of each 
tree, to catch the sap that flowed from this extremely waste- 
ful and inartiflcial arrangement. 

The party paused a moment, on gaining the flat, to breathe 
their horses, and, as the scene was entirely new to several 
of their number, to view the manner of collecting the fluid. 
A flne powerful voice aroused them from their momentary 
silence, as it rang under the branches of the trees, singing 
the following words of that inimitable doggrel, whose verses, 
if extended, would reach from the waters of the Connecticut 
to the shores of Ontario. The tune was, of course, that 
familiar air, which, although it is said to have been first 
applied to his nation in derision, circumstances have since 
rendered so glorious, that no American ever hears its jing- 
ling cadence without feeling a thrill at his heart. 

“ The Eastern States be full of men, 

The Western full of woods, sir. 

The hills be like a cattle pen. 

The roads be full of goods, sir ! 

Then flow away, my sweety sap, 

And I will make you boily ; 

Nor catch a woodman’s hasty nap 
For fear you should get roily. 

“The maple tree’s a precious one, 

’Tis fuel, food, and timber. 

And when your stiff day’s work is done, 

Its juice will make you limber. 

Then flow away, &c. 

“ And what’s a man without his glass, 

His wife without her tea, sir ? 

But neither cup nor mug will pass, 

Without this honey-bee, sir ! 

Then flow away,” &c. 

During the execution of this sonorous doggrel, Eichard 
kept time with his wliip on the mane of his charger, accom- 


230 


THE PIONEERS. 


panying the gestures with a corresponding movement of his 
head and body. Towards the close of the song, he was over- 
heard humming the chorus, and at its last repetition, to strike 
in at sweety sap,’’ and carry a second through, with a pro- 
digious addition to the effect ” of the noise, if not to that 
of the harmony. 

^^Well done us!” roared the Sheriff, on the same key 
with the tune ; a very good song, Billy Kirby, and very 
well sung. Where got you the words, lad ? is there more 
of it, and can you furnish me with a copy ? ” 

The sugar-boiler, who was busy in his camp,” at a short 
distance from the equestrians, turned his head with great 
indifference, and surveyed the party, as they approached, 
with admirable coolness. To each individual, as he or she 
rode close by him, he gave a nod that was extremely good- 
natured and affable, but which partook largely of the virtue 
of equality, for not even to the ladies did he in the least | 
vary his mode of salutation, by touching the apology for a 
hat that he wore, or by any other motion than the one we 
have mentioned. 

^^How goes it, how goes it. Sheriff?” said the wood- j 
chopper; ‘^what’s the good word in the village?” 

“ Why, much as usual, Billy,” returned Bichard. But 
how is this ? where are your four kettles, and your troughs, 
and your iron coolers ? Do you make sugar in this slovenly 
way ? I thought you were one of the best sugar-boilers in 
the county.” 

‘^I’m all that. Squire Jones,” said Kirby, who continued 
his occupation; I’ll turn my back to no man in the Otsego 
hills, for chopping and logging, for boiling down the maple 
sap, for tending brick-kiln, splitting out rails, making pot- 
ash, and parling too, or hoeing corn ; though I keep myself 
pretty much to the first business, seeing that the axe comes 
most natural to me.” j 

You be von Jack All-trade, Mister Beel,” said Monsieur ' 
Le Quoi. 

How ? ” said Kirby, looking up, with a simplicity which, i 
coupled with his gigantic frame and manly face, was a little 
ridiculous, if you be for trade, Mounshere, here is some as 


THE PIONEKES. 


231 


good sugar as you’ll find the season through. It’s as clear 
from dirt as the Jarman Flats is free from stumps, and it 
has the raal maple flavor. Such stuff would sell in York 
for candy.” 

The Frenchman approached the place where Kirby had 
deposited his cakes of sugar, under the cover of a bark roof, 
and commenced the examination of the article, with the eye 
of one who well understood its value. Marmaduke had dis- 
mounted, and was viewing the works and the trees very 
closely, and not without frequent expressions of dissatis- 
faction at the careless manner in which the manufacture 
was conducted. 

“You have much experience in these things, Kirby,” he 
said ; “ what course do you pursue in making your sugar ? 
I see you have but two kettles.” 

“Two is as good as two thousand. Judge. I’m none of 
your polite sugar-makers, that boils for the great folks; 
but if the raal sweet maple is wanted, I can answer your 
turn. First, I choose, and then I tap my trees ; say along 
about the last of February, or in these mountains maybe 
not afore the middle of March ; but anyway, just as the sap 
begins to cleverly run — ” 

“ Well, in this choice,” interrupted Marmaduke, “are you 
governed by any outward signs that prove the quality of the 
tree ? ” 

“ Why, there’s judgment in all things,” said Kirby, stir- 
ring the liquor in his kettles briskly. “ There’s something 
in knowing when and how much to stir the pot. It’s a thing 
that must be larnt. Kome wasn’t built in a day, nor for 
that matter Templeton either, though it may be said to be 
a quick-growing place. I never put my axe into a stunty 
tree, or one that hasn’t a good, fresh-looking bark ; for trees 
have disorders like creaters ; and where’s the policy of tak- 
ing a tree that’s sickly, any more than you’d choose a found- 
ered horse to ride post, or an over-heated ox to do your 
logging.” 

“ All this is true. But what are the signs of illness ? 
how do you distinguish a tree that is well from one that is 
diseased ? ” 


232 


THE PIONEERS. 


How does the doctor tell who has fever, and who colds ? 
interrupted Kichard. By examining the skin, and feeling 
the pulse, to be sure.” 

Sartain,” continued Billy ; “ the Squire an’t far out of 
the way. It’s by the look of the thing, sure enough. 
Well, when the sap begins to get a free run, I hang over 
the kettles, and set up the bush. My first boiling I push 
pretty smartly, till I get the virtue of the sap ; but when 
it begins to grow of a molasses nater, like this in the kettle, 
one mustn’t drive the fires too hard, or you’ll burn the 
sugar ; and burny sugar is bad to the taste, let it be never 
so sweet. So you ladle out from one kettle into the other 
till it gets so, when you put the stirring stick into it, that 
it will draw into a thread — when it takes a kerful hand to 
manage it. There is a way to drain it off, after it has 
grained, by putting clay into the pans ; but it isn’t always 
practised : some doos, and some doesn’t. Well, Mounsher, 
be we likely to make a trade ? ” 

I will give you. Mister Beel, for von pound, dix sous.” 

“ Ho, I expect cash for’t : I never dicker my sugar. But, 
seeing that it’s you, Mounsher,” said Billy, with a coaxing 
smile, “I’ll agree to receive a gallon of rum, and cloth 
enough for two shirts, if you will take the molasses in the 
bargain. It’s raal good. I wouldn’t deceive you or any 
man ; and to my drinking it’s about the best molasses that 
come out of a sugar bush.” 

“Mr. Le Quoi has offered you ten pence,” said young 
Edwards. 

The manufacturer stared at the speaker with an air of 
great freedom, but made no reply. 

“Oui,” said the Frenchman, “ten penny. Je vous re- 
mercie. Monsieur: ah! mon Anglais! je I’oublie toujours.” 

The wood-chopper looked from one to the other with some 
displeasure; and evidently imbibed the opinion that they 
were amusing themselves at his expense. He seized the 
enormous ladle, which was lying in one of his kettles, and 
began to stir the boiling liquid with great diligence. After 
a moment passed in dipping the ladle full, and then raising 
it on high, as the thick rich fluid fell back into the kettle. 


THE PIONEERS. 238 

he suddenly gave it a whirl, as if to cool what yet remained, 
and offered the bowl to Mr. Le Quoi, saying — 

Taste that, Mounsher, and you will say it is worth more 
than you offer. The molasses itself would fetch the money.” 

The complaisant Frenchman, after several timid efforts 
to trust his lips in contact with the bowl of the ladle, got 
a good swallow of the scalding liquid. He clapped his 
hand on his breast, and looked most piteously at the ladies, 
for a single instant ; and then, to use the language of Billy, 
when he afterwards recounted the tale, ^^no drumsticks ever 
went faster on the skin of a sheep, than the Frenchman’s 
legs, for a round or two : and then such swearing and spit- 
ting in French you never saw. But it’s a knowing one, 
from the old countries, that thinks to get his jokes smoothly 
over a wood-chopper.” 

The air of innocence with which Kirby resumed the occu- 
pation of stirring the contents of his kettle would have com- 
pletely deceived the spectators as to his agency in the tem- 
porary suffering of Mr. Le Quoi, had not the reckless fellow 
thrust his tongue into his cheek, and cast his eyes over the 
party, with a simplicity of expression that was too exquisite 
to be natural. Mr. Le Quoi soon recovered his presence of 
mind, and his decorum ; he briefly apologized to the ladies 
for one or two very intemperate expressions that had es- 
caped him in a moment of extraordinary excitement, and 
remounting his horse, he continued in the background dur- 
ing the remainder of the visit, the wit of Kirby putting a 
violent termination, at once, to all negotiations on the sub- 
ject of trade. During all this time, Marmaduke had been 
wandering about the grove, making observations on his fa- 
vorite trees, and the wasteful manner in which the wood- 
chopper conducted his manufacture. 

It grieves me to witness the extravagance that pervades 
this country,” said the Judge, where the settlers trifle 
with the blessings they might enjoy, with the prodigality 
of successful adventurers. You are not exempt from the 
censure yourself, Kirby, for you make dreadful wounds in 
these trees where a small incision would effect the same 
object. I earnestly beg you will remember that they are 


234 


THE PIONEERS. 


tlie growth, of centuries, and when once gone, none living 
will see their loss remedied.’’ 

“Why, I don’t know. Judge,” returned the man he ad- 
dressed: “it seems to me, if there’s a plenty of anything in 
this mountaynious country, it’s the trees. If there’s any 
sin in chopping them, I’ve a pretty heavy account to settle ; 
for I’ve chopped over the best half of a thousand acres, 
with my own hands, counting both Varmount and York 
states ; and I hope to live to finish the whull, before I lay 
up my axe. Choppuig comes quite natural to me, and I 
wish no other employment; but Jared E-ansom said that he 
thought the sugar was likely to be source this season, seeing 
that so many folks was coming into the settlement, and so 
I concluded to take the ‘bush’ on sheares, for this one 
spring. What’s the best news. Judge, consarning ashes ? 
Do pots hold so that a man can live by them still ? I s’pose 
they will, if they keep on fighting across the water.” 

“ Thou reasonest with judgment, William,” returned 
Marmaduke. “ So long as the old world is to be convulsed 
with wars, so long will the harvest of America continue.” 

“ Well, it’s an ill wind. Judge, that blows nobody any 
good. I’m sure the country is in a thriving way ; and, 
though I know you calkilate greatly on the trees, setting as 
much store by them as some men would by their children, 
yet to my eyes they are a sore sight at any time, unless I’m 
privileged to work my will on them ; in which case I can’t 
say but they are more to my liking. I have heard the set- 
tlers from the old countries say that their rich men keep 
great oaks and elms, that would make a barrel of pots to 
the tree, standing round their doors and humsteads, and 
scattered over their farms, just to look at. Now, I call no 
country much improved, that is pretty well covered with 
trees.- Stumps are a different thing, for they don’t shade 
the land ; and besides, if you dig them, they make a fence 
that will turn anything bigger than a hog, being grand for 
breachy cattle.” 

“ Opinions on such subjects vary much in different coun- 
tries,” said Marmaduke ; “ but it is not as ornaments that I 
value the noble trees of this country ; it is for their useful- 


THE PIONEERS. 


235 


ness. We are stripping the forests, as if a single year would 
replace what we destroy. But the hour approaches when 
the laws will take notice of not only the Avoods, but the 
game they contain also.’’ 

With this consoling reflection, Marmaduke remounted, 
and the equestrians passed the sugar-camp, on their way to 
the promised landscape of E-ichard. The wood-chopper 
was left alone, in the bosom of the forest, to pursue his 
labors. Elizabeth turned her head, Avhen they reached the 
point where they were to descend the mountain, and thought 
that the slow fires that Avere glimmering under his enormous 
kettles, his little brush shelter, covered with pieces of hem- 
lock bark, his gigantic size, as he wielded his ladle with a 
steady and knowing air, aided by the background of stately 
trees, Avith their spouts and troughs, formed, altogether, no 
unreal picture of human life in its first stages of civilization. 
Perhaps whatever the scene possessed of a romantic char- 
acter was not injured by the powerful tones of Kirby’s 
voice ringing through the woods, as he again awoke his 
strains to another tune, Avhich was but little more scientific 
than the former. All that she understood of the words 
were — 

“ And when the proud forest is falling, 

To my oxen cheerfully calling. 

From morn until night I am bawling, 

Woe, hack there, and hoy and gee : 

Till our labor is mutually ended 
By my strength and cattle befriended. 

And against the musquitoes defended. 

By the bark of the walnut tree. 

“ Away ! then, you lads who would buy land 
Choose the oak that grows on the high land 
Or the silvery pine on the dry land. 

It matters but little to me.” 


CHAPTER XXI. 


Speed ! Malise, speed ! such cause of haste 
Thine active sinews never braced. 

Scott. 

The roads of Otsego, if we except the principal highways, 
were, at the early day of our tale, but little better than wood- 
paths. The high trees that were growing on the very verge 
of the wheel-tracks excluded the sun’s rays, unless at merid- 
ian ; and the slowness of the evaporation, united with the 
rich mould of vegetable decomposition that covered the 
whole country to the depth of several inches, occasioned 
but an indifferent foundation for the footing of travellers. 
Added to these were the inequalities of a natural surface, 
and the constant recurrence of enormous and slippery roots 
that were laid bare by the removal of the light soil, together 
with stumps of trees, to make a passage not only difficult 
but dangerous. Yet the riders, among these numerous ob- 
structions, which were such as would terrify an unpractised 
eye, gave no demonstrations of uneasiness, as their horses 
toiled through the sloughs, or trotted with uncertain paces 
along the dark route. In many places, the marks on the 
trees were the only indications of a road, with perhaps an 
occasional remnant of a pine, that, by being cut close to the 
earth, so as to leave nothing visible but its base of roots, 
spreading for twenty feet in every direction, was apparently 
placed there as a beacon to warn the traveller that it was 
the centre of a highway. 

Into one of these roads the active Sheriff led the way, first 
striking out of the footpath, by which they had descended 
from the sugar bush, across a little bridge, formed of round 
logs laid loosely on sleepers of pine, in which large openings 
of a formidable width were frequent. The nag of Richard, 

236 


THE PIONEERS. 


237 


when it reached one of these gaps, laid its nose along the 
logs, and stepped across the difficult passage with the sagac- 
ity of a man ; but the blooded filly which Miss Temple rode 
disdained so humble a movement. She made a step or two 
with an unusual caution, and then on reaching the broadest 
opening, obedient to the curb and whip of her fearless mis- 
tress, she bounded across the dangerous pass with the activ- 
ity of a squirrel. 

Gently, gently, my child,’’ said Marmaduke, who was 
following in the manner of Richard, this is not a country 
for equestrian feats. Much prudence is requisite to journey 
through our rough paths with safety. Thou mayst prac- 
tise thy skill in horsemanship on the plains of New Jersey 
with safety; but in the hills of Otsego they may be sus- 
pended for a time.” 

I may as well then relinquish my saddle at once, dear 
sir,” returned his daughter; for if it is to be laid aside 
until this wild country be improved, old age will overtake 
me, and put an end to what you term my equestrian feats.” 

Say not so, my child,” returned her father ; “ but if thou 
venturest again, as in crossing this bridge, old age will 
never overtake thee, but I shall be left to mourn thee, cut off 
in thy pride, my Elizabeth. If thou hadst seen this dis- 
trict of country, as I did, when it lay in the sleep of nature, 
and had witnessed its rapid changes, as it awoke to supply 
the wants of man, thou wouldst curb thy impatience for a 
little time, though thou shouldst not check thy steed.” 

I recollect hearing you speak of your first visit to these 
woods, but the impression is faint, and blended with the 
confused images of childhood. Wild and unsettled as it 
may yet seem, it must have been a thousand times more 
dreary then. Will you repeat, dear sir, what you then 
thought of your enterprise, and what you felt ? ” 

During this speech of Elizabeth, which was uttered with 
the fervor of affection, young Edwards rode more closely to 
the side of the Judge, and bent his dark eyes on his coun- 
tenance with an expression that seemed to read his thoughts. 

^^Thou wast then young, my child, but must remember 
when I left thee and thy mother, to take my first survey of 


238 


THE PIONEERS. 


these muiihabited mountains/’ said Marmaduke. But 
thou dost not feel all the secret motives that can urge a man 
to endure privations in order to accumulate wealth. In my 
case they have not been trifling, and God has been pleased 
to smile on my efforts. If I have encountered pain, famine, 
and disease, in accomplishing the settlement of this rough 
territory, I have not the misery of failure to add to the 
grievances.” 

‘^Famine!” echoed Elizabeth; ‘‘1 thought this was the 
land of abundance ! had you famine to contend with ? ” 

“ Even so, my child,” said her father. Those who look 
around them now, and see the loads of produce that issue 
out of every wild path in these mountains, during the season 
of travelling, will hardly credit that no more than five years 
have elapsed, since the tenants of these woods were com- 
pelled to eat the scanty fruits of the forest to sustain life, 
and, with their unpractised skill, to hunt the beasts as food 
for their starving families.” 

Ay ! ” cried Richard, who happened to overhear the last 
of this speech, between the notes of the wood-chopper’s 
song, which he was endeavoring to breathe aloud; ‘Hhat 
was the starving tinie,^ cousin Bess. I grew as lank as a 
weasel that fall, and my face was as pale as one of your 
fever-and-ague visages. Monsieur Le Quoi, there, fell away 
like a pumpkin in drying; nor do I think you have got 
fairly over it yet. Monsieur. Benjamin, I thought, bore it 
with a worse grace than any of the family ; for he swore it 
was harder to endure than a short allowance in the calm 
latitudes. Benjamin is a sad fellow to swear, if you starve 


1 The author has no better apology for interrupting the interest of a 
work of fiction by these desultory dialogues, than that they have reference 
to facts. In reviewing his work, after so many years, he is compelled to 
confess it is injured by too many allusions to incidents that are not at all 
suited to satisfy the just expectations of the general reader. One of these 
events is slightly touched on, in the commencement of this chapter. 

More than thirty years since, a very near and dear relative of the writer, 
an elder sister and a second mother, was killed by a fall from a horse, in a 
ride among the very mountains mentioned in this tale. Few of her sex 
and years wei*e more extensively known, or more universally beloved, than 
the admirable woman who thus fell a victim to the chances of the wilder- 
ness. 


THE PIONEERS. 


239 


him ever so little. I had half a mind to quit you then, 
’duke, and go into Pennsylvania to fatten; but, damn it, 
thinks I, we are sisters’ children, and I will live or die with 
him, after all.” 

I do not forget thy kindness,” said Marniaduke, nor 
that we are of one blood.” 

^‘But, my dear father,” cried the wondering Elizabeth, 
was there actual suffering ? where were the beautiful and 
fertile vales of the Mohawk ? could they not furnish food 
for your wants ? ” 

It w'as a season of scarcity ; the necessities of life com- 
manded a high price in Europe, and were greedily sought 
after by the speculators. The emigrants, from the east to 
the west, invariably passed along the valley of the Mohawk, 
and swept away the means of subsistence, like a swarm of 
locusts. Nor were the people on the Flats in a much better 
condition. They were in want themselves, but they spared 
the little excess of provisions that nature did not absolutely 
require, with the justice of the German character. There 
was no grinding of the poor. The word speculator was then 
unknown to them. I have seen many a stout man, bending 
under the load of the bag of meal, which he was carrying 
from the Mills of the Mohawk, through the rugged passes 
of these mountains, to feed his half-famished children, with 
a heart so light, as he approached his hut, that the thirty 
miles he had passed seemed nothing. Remember, my child, 
it was in our very infancy ; we had neither mills, nor grain, 
nor roads, nor often clearings ; we had nothing of increase, 
but the mouths that were to be fed; for, even at that inau- 
spicious moment, the restless spirit of emigration was not 
idle ; nay, the general scarcity which extended to the east, 
tended to increase the number of adventurers.” 

And how, dearest father, didst thou encounter this dread- 
ful evil ? ” said Elizabeth, unconsciously adopting the dia- 
lect of her parent in the warmth of her sympathy. Upon 
thee must have fallen the responsibility, if not the suffer- 
ing.” 

^at did, Elizabeth,” returned the Judge, pausing for a 
single moment, as if musing on his former feelings. I had 


240 


THE PIONEERS. 


hundreds, at that dreadful tinie, daily looking up to me for 
bread. The sufferings of their families, and the gloomy 
prospect before them, had paralyzed the enterprise and 
efforts of my settlers ; hunger drove them to the woods for 
food, but despair sent them at night, enfeebled and wan, to 
a sleepless pillow. It was not a moment for inaction. I 
purchased cargoes of wheat from the granaries of Penn- 
sylvania ; they were landed at Albany, and brought up the 
Mohawk in boats ; from thence it was transported on pack- 
horses into the wilderness, and distributed among my people. 
Seines were made, and the lakes and rivers were dragged 
for fish. Something like a miracle was wrought in our 
favor, for enormous shoals of herrings were discovered to 
have wandered five hundred miles, through the windings of 
the impetuous Susquehanna, and the lake was alive Avith 
their numbers. These were at length caught, and dealt out 
to the people, with proper portions of salt ; and from that 
moment we again began to prosper.’’ ^ 

Yes,” cried Eichard, “ and I was the man Avho served 
out the fish and the salt. When the poor devils came to 
receive their rations, Benjamin, who was my deputy, was 
obliged to keep them off by stretching ropes around me, for 
they smelt so of garlic, from eating nothing but the wild 
onion, that the fumes put me out often in my measurement. 
You were a child then, Bess, and knew nothing of the mat- 
ter, for great care was observed to keep both you and your 
mother from suffering. That year put me back dreadfully, 
both in the breed of my hogs and of my turkeys.” 

No, Bess,” cried the Judge, in a more cheerful tone, dis- 
regarding the interruption of his cousin, “ he who hears of 
the settlement of a country knows but little of the toil and 
suffering by which it is accomplished. Unimproved and 
wild as this district now seems to your eyes, Avhat was it 
Avhen I first entered the hills ! I left my party, the morn- 
ing of my arrival, near the farms of the Cherry Valley, and, 
following a deer-path, rode to the summit of the mountain 
that I have since called Mount Vision ; for the sight that 


J All this was literally true. 


THE PIONEERS. 


241 


there met my eyes kerned to me as the deceptions of a 
dream. The fire had run over the pinnacle, and, in a great 
measure, laid open the view. The leaves were fallen, and I 
mounted a tree, and sat for an hour looking on the silent 
wilderness. Not an opening was to be seen in the bound- 
less forest, except where the lake lay, like a mirror of glass. 
The water was covered by myriads of the wild-fowl that mi- 
grate with the changes in the season ; and, while in my situa- 
tion on the branch of the beech, I saw a bear, with her cubs, 
descend to the shore to drink. I had met many deer, glid- 
ing through the woods, in my journey; but not the vestige 
of a man could I trace during my progress, nor from my 
elevated observatory. No clearing, no hut, none of the 
winding roads that are now to be seen, were there ; nothing 
but mountains rising behind mountains; and the valley, 
with its surface of branches, enlivened here and there with 
the faded foliage of some tree, that parted from its leaves 
with more than ordinary reluctance. Even the Susque- 
hanna was then hid, by the height and density of the 
forest.” 

And were you alone ? ” asked Elizabeth ; “ passed you 
the night in that solitary state? ” 

‘^Not so, my child,” returned her father. After musing 
on the. scene for an hour, with a mingled feeling of pleasure 
and desolation, I left my perch and descended the mountain. 
My horse was left to browse on the twigs that grew within 
his reach, while I explored the shores of the lake, and the 
spot where Templeton stands. A pine of more than ordi- 
nary growth stood where my dwelling is now placed! a 
wind-row had been opened through the trees from thence 
to the lake, and my view was but little impeded. Under 
the branches of that tree I made my solitary dinner ; I had 
just finished my repast as I saw a smoke curling from under 
the mountain, near the eastern bank of the lake. It was 
the only indication of the vicinity of man that I had then 
seen. After much toil I made my way to the spot, and 
found a rough cabin of logs, built against the foot of a rock, 
and bearing the marks of a tenant, though I found no one 
within it — ” 


R 


242 


THE PIONEERS. 


‘‘It was the hut of Leather-stocking/’ said Edwards, 
quickly. 

“ It was ; though I at first supposed it to be a habitation 
of the Indians. But while I was lingering round the spot, 
Natty made his appearance, staggering under the carcase 
of a buck that he had slain. Our acquaintance commenced 
at that time ; before, I had never heard that such a being 
tenanted the woods. He launched his bark canoe, and set 
me across the foot of the lake, to the place where I had 
fastened my horse, and pointed out a spot where he might 
get a scanty browsing until the morning ; when I returned 
and passed the night in the cabin of the hunter.” 

Miss Temple was so much struck by the deep attention 
of young Edwards, during this speech, that she forgot to 
resume her interrogatories; but the youth himself contin- 
ued the discourse, by asking — 

“ And how did the Leather-stocking discharge the duties 
of a host, sir ? ” 

“ Why, simply but kindly, until late in the evening, when 
he discovered my name and object, and the cordiality of 
his manner very sensibly diminished, or, I might better say, 
^ disappeared. He considered the introduction of the settlers 
as an innovation on his rights, I believe ; for he expressed 
much dissatisfaction at the measure, though it was .in his 
confused and ambiguous manner. I hardly understood his 
objections myself, but supposed they referred chiefly to an 
interruption of the hunting.” 

“ Had you then purchased the estate, or were you exam- 
ining it with an intent to buy ? ” asked Edwards, a little 
abruptly. \ 

“ It had been mine for several years. It was with a view 
to people the land that I visited the lake. Natty treated 
me hospitably, but coldly, I thought, after he learned the 
nature of my journey. I slept on his own bearskin, how- 
ever, and in the morning joined my surveyors again.” 

“ Said he nothing of the Indian rights, sir ? The Leather- 
stocking is much given to impeach the justice of the tenure 
by which the whites hold the country.” 

“ I remember that he spoke of them, but I did not clearly 


THE PIONEEES. 


243 


comprehend him, and may have forgotten what he said; 
for the Indian title was extinguished so far back as the 
close of the old war ; and if it had not been at all, I hold 
under the patents of the Eoyal Governors, confirmed by an 
act of our own State Legislature, and no court in the country 
can affect my title.” 

‘‘Doubtless, sir, your title is both legal and equitable,” 
returned the youth, coldly, reining his horse back, and re- 
maining silent till the subject was changed. 

It was seldom Mr. Jones suffered any conversation to 
continue for a great length of time without his participa- 
tion. It seems that he was of the party that Judge Temple 
had designated as his surveyors ; and he embraced the op- 
portunity of the pause that succeeded the retreat of young 
Edwards, to take up the discourse, and with it a narration 
of their further proceedings, after his own manner. As it 
wanted, however, the interest that had accompanied the 
description of the Judge, we must decline the task of com- 
mitting his sentences to paper. 

They soon reached the point where the promised view 
was to be seen. It was one of those picturesque and pecul- 
iar scenes that belong to the Otsego, but which required 
the absence of the ice, and the softness of a summer’s land- 
scape, to be enjoyed in all its beauty. Marniaduke had 
early forewarned his daughter of the season, and of its ef- 
fect on the prospect ; and after casting a cursory glance at 
its capabilities, the party returned homeward, perfectly sat- 
isfied that its beauties would repay them for the toil of a 
second ride, at a more propitious season. 

“ The spring is the gloomy time of the American year,” 
said the Judge ; “ and it is more peculiarly the case in 
these mountains. The winter seems to retreat to the fast- 
nesses of the hills, as to the citadel of its dominion, and is 
only expelled after a tedious siege, in which either party, 
at times, would seem to be gaining the victory.” 

“ A very just and apposite figure. Judge Temj)le,” observed 
the Sheriff; “and the garrison under the command of «Iack 
Frost make formidable sorties — you understand what I 
mean by sorties. Monsieur ; sallies in English — and some- 


244 


THE PIONEERS. 


times drive General Spring and his troops back again into 
the low countries.” 

^^Yes, sair,” returned the Frenchman, whose prominent 
eyes were watching the precarious footsteps of the beast he 
rode, as it picked its dangerous way among the roots of trees, 
holes, log-bridges, and sloughs, that formed the aggregate 
of the highway. Je vous entend ; de low countrie is freeze 
up for half de year.” 

The error of Mr. Le Quoi was not noticed by the Sheriff ; 
and the rest of the party were yielding to the influence of 
the changeful season, which was already teaching the eques- 
trians that a continuance of its mildness was not to be 
expected for any length of time. Silence and thoughtful- 
ness succeeded the gaiety and conversation that had pre- 
vailed during the commencement of the ride, as clouds 
began to gather about the heavens, apparently collecting 
from every quarter, in quick motion, without the agency of 
a breath of air. 

While riding over one of the cleared eminences that 
occurred in their route, the watchful eye of Judge Temple 
pointed out to his daughter the approach of a tempest. 
Flurries of snow already obscured the mountain that formed 
the northern boundary of the lake, and the genial sensation 
which had quickened the blood through their veins, was 
already succeeded by the deadening influence of an approach- 
ing northwester. 

Ay of the party were now busily engaged in making the 
best of their way to the village, though the badness of the 
roads frequently compelled them to check the impatience 
of their animals, which often carried them over places that 
would not admit of any gait faster than a walk. 

E-ichard continued in advance, followed by Mr. Le Quoi, 
next to whom rode Elizabeth, who seemed to have imbibed 
the distance which pervaded the manner of young Edwards, 
since the termination of the discourse between the latter 
and her father. Marmaduke followed his daughter, giving 
her frequent and tender warnings as to the management of 
her horse. It was, possibly, the evident dependence that 
Louisa Grant placed on his assistance, which induced the 


THE PIONEERS. 


245 


youth to continue by her side, as they pursued their way 
through a dreary and dark wood, where the rays of the sun 
could but rarely penetrate, and where even the daylight was 
obscured and rendered gloomy by the deep forests that sur- 
rounded them. No wind had yet reached the spot where 
the equestrians were in motion, but that dead stillness that 
often precedes a storm contributed to render their situation 
more irksome than if they were already subject to the fury 
of the tempest. Suddenly the voice of young Edwards was 
heard shouting in those appalling tones that carry alarm to 
the very soul, and which curdle the blood of those that hear 
them — 

A tree ! a tree ! whip — spur for your lives ! a tree ! a 
tree ! ” 

A tree ! a tree ! ” echoed Eichard, giving his horse a blow 
that caused the alarmed beast to jump nearly a rod, throw- 
ing the mud and w^ater into the air like a hurricane. 

Von tree ! von tree ! ’’ shouted the Frenchman, bending 
his body on the neck of his charger, shutting his eyes, and 
playing on the ribs of his beast with his heels at a rate that 
caused him to be conveyed on the crupper of the Sheriff 
with a marvellous speed. 

Elizabeth checked her filly, and looked up with an uncon- 
scious but alarmed air, at the very cause of their danger, 
while she listened to the crackling sounds that awoke the 
stillness of the forest ; but the next instant her bridle was 
seized by her father, who cried — 

^^God protect my child ! and she felt herself hurried 
onward, impelled by the vigor of his nervous arm. 

Each one of the party bowed to his saddle-bows, as the 
tearing of branches was succeeded by a sound like the rush- 
ing of the winds, which was followed by a thundering 
report, and a shock that caused the very earth to tremble, 
as one of the noblest ruins of the forest fell directly across 
their path. 

One glance was enough to assure Judge Temple that his 
daughter, and those in front of him, were safe, and he turned 
his eyes, in dreadful anxiety, to learn the fate of the others. 
Young ]Ed wards was on the opposite side of the tree, his 


246 


THE PIONEERS. 


form thrown back in his saddle to its utmost distance, his 
left hand drawing up his bridle with its greatest force, while 
the right grasped that of Miss Grant, so as to draw the head 
of her horse under its body. Both the animals stood shak- 
ing in every joint with terror, and snorting fearfully. Louisa 
herself had relinquished her reins, and with her hands 
pressed on her face, sat bending forward in her saddle, in 
an attitude of despair, mingled strangely with resignation. 

^‘Are you safe?” cried the Judge, first breaking the aw- 
ful silence of the moment. 

By God’s blessing,” returned the youth ; but if there 
had been branches to the tree we must have been lost — ” 
He was interrupted by the figure of Louisa slowly yield- 
ing in her saddle ; and but for his arm she would have sunk 
to the earth. Terror, however, was the only injury that the 
clergyman’s daughter had sustained, and with the aid of 
Elizabeth, she was soon restored to her senses. After some 
little time was lost in recovering her strength, the . young 
lady was replaced in her saddle; and supported on either 
side by Judge Temple and Mr. Edwards, she was enabled 
to follow the party in their slow progress. 

The sudden fallings of the trees,” said Marmaduke, are 
the most dangerous accidents in the forest, for they are not 
to be foreseen, being impelled by no winds, nor any extra- 
neous or visible cause against which we can guard.” 

The reason of their falling. Judge Temple, is very obvi- 
ous,” said the Sheriff. “ The tree is old and decayed, and it 
is gradually weakened by the frosts, until a line drawn from 
the centre of gravity falls without its base, and then the tree 
comes of a certainty; and I should like to know what 
greater compulsion there can be for anything than a mathe- 
matical certainty. I studied mathe ” 

^‘Very true. Bichard,” interrupted Marmaduke; ^Ghy 
reasoning is true, and if my memory be not over treacher- 
ous, was furnished by myself on a former occasion. But 
how is one to guard against the danger ? Canst thou go 
through the forests, measuring the bases, and calculating the 
centres of the oaks ? Answer me that, friend Jones, and I 
will say thou wilt do the country a service.” 


THE PIONEEKS. 


247 


Answer thee that, friend Temple ! ’’ returned Richard ; 
“a well-educated man can answer thee anything, sir. Do 
any trees fall in this manner but such as are decayed? 
Take care not to approach the roots of a rotten tree, and 
you will be safe enough.” 

That would be excluding us entirely from the forests,” 
said Marmaduke. But, happily, the winds usually force 
down most of these dangerous ruins, as their currents are 
admitted into the woods by the surrounding clearings, and 
such a fall as this has been is very rare.” 

Louisa, by this time, had recovered so much strength as 
to allow the party to proceed at a quicker pace, but long 
before they were safely housed, they were overtaken by 
the storm ; and when they dismounted at the door of the 
mansion-house, the black plumes of Miss Temple’s hat 
were drooping with the weight of a load of damp snow, and 
the coats of the gentlemen were powdered with the same 
material. 

While Edwards was assisting Louisa from her horse, the 
warm-hearted girl caught his hand with fervor, and whis- 
pered — 

Now, Mr. Edwards, both father and daughter owe their 
lives to you.” 

A driving northwesterly storm succeeded, and before the 
sun was set every vestige of spring had vanished ; the lake, 
the mountains, the village, and the fields, being again hid- 
den under one dazzling coat of snow. 


CHAPTER XXII. 


Men, boys, and girls, 

Desert th’ unpeopled village ; and wild crowds 
Spread o’er the plain, by the sweet phrensy driven. 

Somerville. 

From this time to the close of April the weather con- 
tinued to he a succession of great and rapid changes. One 
day, the soft airs of spring seemed to be stealing along the 
valley, and in unison with an invigorating sun, attempting 
covertly to rouse the dormant powers of the vegetable world ; 
while on the next, the surly blasts from the north would 
sweep across the lake, and erase every impression left by 
their gentle adversaries. The snow, however, finally dis- 
appeared, aud the green wheat-fields were seen in every 
direction, spotted with the dark and charred stumps that 
had, the preceding season, supported some of the proudest 
trees of the forest. Ploughs were in motion, wherever those 
useful implements could be used, and the smokes of the 
sugar-camps were no longer seen issuing from the woods of 
maple. The lake had lost the beauty of a field of ice, but 
still a dark and gloomy covering concealed its waters, for 
the absence of currents left them yet hidden under a porous 
crust, which, saturated with the fluid, barely retained enough 
strength to preserve the contiguity of its parts. Large 
flocks of wild geese were seen passing over the country, 
which hovered, for a time, around the hidden sheet of water, 
apparently searching for a resting-place ; and then, on finding 
themselves excluded by the chill covering, would soar away 
to the north, filling the air with discordant screams, as 
if venting their complaints at the tardy operations of nature. 

For a week, the dark covering of the Otsego was left to 
the undisturbed possession of two eagles, who alighted on 

248 


THE PIONEERS. 


249 


the centre of its field, and sat eying their undisputed ter- 
ritory. During the presence of these monarchs of the air, 
the flocks of migrating birds avoided crossing the plain of 
ice, by turning into the hills, apparently seeking the pro- 
tection of the forests, while the white and bald heads 
of the tenants of the lake were turned upwards, with a 
look of contempt. But the time had come, when even 
these kings of birds were to be dispossessed. An opening 
had been gradually increasing at the lower extremity of 
the lake, and around the dark spot where the current of 
the river prevented the formation of ice, during even the 
coldest weather; and the fresh southerly winds, that now 
breathed freely upon the valley, made an impression on 
the waters. Mimic waves began to curl over the margin 
of the frozen field, which exhibited an outline of crystal- 
lizations that slowly receded towards the north. At each 
step the power of the winds and the waves increased, until, 
after a struggle of a few hours, the turbulent little billows 
succeeded in setting the whole field in motion, when it was 
driven beyond the reach of the eye, with a rapidity that 
was as magical as the change produced in the scene by this 
expulsion of the lingering remnant of winter. Just as the 
last sheet of agitated ice was disappearing in the distance, 
the eagles rose, and soared with a wide sweep above the 
clouds, while the waves tossed their little caps of snow into 
the air, as if rioting in their release from a thraldom of 
five months^ duration. 

The following morning Elizabeth was awakened by the 
exhilarating sounds of the martins, who were quarrelling 
and chattering around the little boxes suspended above her 
windows, and the cries of Bichard, who was calling in tones 
animating as the signs of the season itself — 

Awake! awake! my fair lady! the gulls are hovering 
over the lake already, and the heavens are alive with 
pigeons. You may look an hour before you can find a hole 
through which to get a peep at the sun. Awake! awake! 
lazy ones! Benjamin is overhauling the ammunition, and 
we only wait for our breakfasts, and away for the mountains 
and pigeon shooting.’’ 


250 


THE PIONEERS. 


There was no resisting this animated appeal, and in a 
few minutes Miss Temple and her friend descended to the 
parlor. The doors of the hall were thrown open, and the 
mild, balmy air of a clear spring morning was ventilating 
the apartment, where the vigilance of the ex-steward had 
been so long maintaining an artihcial heat with such unre- 
mitted diligence. The gentlemen were impatiently waiting 
for their morning’s repast, each equipped in the garb of a 
sportsman. Mr. Jones made many visits to the southern 
door, and would cry — 

‘‘See, cousin Bess! see, ’duke, the pigeon-roosts of the 
south have broken up ! They are growing more thick every 
instant. Here is a flock that the eye cannot see the end of. 
There is food enough in it to keep the army of Xerxes for a 
month, and feathers enough to make beds for the whole coun- 
try. Xerxes, Mr. Edwards, was a Grecian king, who — no, he 
was a Turk, or a Persian, who wanted to conquer Greece, just 
the same as these rascals will overrun our wheat-flelds, when 
they come back in the fall. Away ! away ! Bess ; I long to 
pepper them.” 

In this wish both Marmaduke and young Edwards seemed 
equally to participate, for the sight was exhilarating to a , 
sportsman; and the ladies soon dismissed the party after a 
hasty breakfast. 

If the heavens were alive with pigeons, the whole village 
seemed equally in motion, with men, women, and children. 
Every species of fire-arms, ^from the French ducking-gun 
with a barrel near six feet in length, to the common horse- 
man’s pistol, was to be seen in the hands of the men and 
boys; while bows and arrows, some made of the simple 
stick of a walnut sapling, and others in a rude imitation of ' 
the ancient cross-bows, were carried by many of the latter. 

The houses and the signs of life apparent in the village, 
drove the alarmed birds from the direct line of their flight, 
towards the mountains, along the sides and near the bases I 
of which they were glancing in dense masses, equally won- 
derful by the rapidity of their motion, and their incredible • 
numbers. 

We have already said, that across the inclined plane 


THE PIONEERS. 


251 


which fell from the steep ascent of the mountain to the 
banks of the Susquehanna, ran the highway, on either side 
of which a clearing of many acres had been made at a very 
early day. Over those clearings, and up the eastern moun- 
tain, and along the dangerous path that was cut into its 
side, the different individuals posted themselves, and in a 
few moments the attack commenced. 

Among the sportsmen was the fall, gaunt form of 
Leather-stocking, walking over the field, with his rifie 
hanging on his arm, his dogs at his heels ; the latter now 
scenting the dead or wounded birds, that were beginning to 
tumble from the flocks, and then crouching under the legs 
of their master, as if they participated in his feelings at 
this wasteful and unsportsmanlike execution. 

The reports of the fire-arms became rapid, whole volleys 
rising from the plain, as flocks of more than ordinary num- 
bers darted over the opening, shadowing the field like a 
cloud; and then the light smoke of a single piece would 
issue from among the leafless bushes on the mountain, 
as death was hurled on the retreat of the affrighted birds, 
who were rising from a volley, in a vain effort to escape. 
Arrows, and missiles of every kind, were in the midst of 
the flocks; and so numerous were the birds, and so low did 
they take their flight, that even long poles, in the hands of 
those on the sides of the mountain, were used to strike them 
to the earth. 

During all this time, Mr. Jones, who disdained the 
humble and ordinary means of destruction used by his 
companions, was busily occupied, aided by Benjamin, in 
making arrangements for an assault of more than ordinarily 
fatal character. Among the relics of the old military 
excursions, that occasionally are discovered throughout 
the different districts of the western part of New York, 
there had been found in Templeton, at its settlement, a 
small swivel, which would carry a ball of a pound weight. 
It was thought to have been deserted by a war-party of the 
whites, in one of their inroads into the Indian settlements, 
when, perhaps, convenience or their necessity induced them 
to leave such an incumbrance behind them in the woods. 


252 


THE PIONEERS. 


This miniature cannon had been released from the rust, 
and being mounted on little wheels, was now in a state for 
actual service. For several years, it was the sole organ for 
extraordinary rejoicings used in those mountains. On the 
mornings of the Fourths of July, it would be heard ringing 
among the hills ; and even Captain Hollister, who was the 
highest authority in that part of the country on all such 
occasions, affirmed that, considering its dimensions, it was 
no despicable gun for a salute. It was somewhat the 
worse for the service it had performed, it is true, there 
being but a trifling difference in size between the touch- 
hole and the muzzle. Still, the grand conceptions of 
Richard had suggested the importance of such an instru- 
ment in hurling death at his nimble enemies. The swivel 
was dragged by a horse into a part of the open space that 
the Sheriff thought most eligible for planting a battery of 
the kind, and Mr. Pump proceeded to load it. Several 
handfuls of duck-shot were placed on top of the powder, 
and the major-domo announced that his piece was ready for 
service. 

The sight of such an implement collected all the idle spec- 
tators to the spot, who, being mostly boys, filled the air with : 
cries of exultation and delight. The gun was pointed 
high, and Richard, holding a coal of fire in a pair of tongs, 
patiently took his seat on a stump, awaiting the appearance 
of a flock worthy of his notice. i 

So prodigious was the number of the birds, that the scat- 
tering fire of the guns, with the hurling of missiles, and the 
cries of the boys, had no other effect than to break off small 
flocks from the immense masses that continued to dart 
along the valley, as if the whole of the feathered tribe 
were pouring through that one pass. None pretended to 
collect the game, which lay scattered over the fields in such i 
profusion as to cover the very ground with the fluttering ’ 
victims. 

Leather-stocking was a silent, but uneasy spectator of all 
these proceedings, but was able to keep his sentiments to 
himself until he saw the introduction of the swivel into 
the sports. 


t 

I 


THE PIONEERS. 


253 


^‘This comes of settling a country! ” he saidj ^here have 
^ I known the pigeons to fly for forty long years, and, till 
‘ you made your clearings, there was nobody to shear or to 
' hurt them. I loved to see them come into the woods, for 
5 they were company to a body; hurting nothing; being, as 
' it was, as harmless as a garter-snake. But now it gives 
‘ I me sore thoughts when I hear the frighty things whizzing 
’ I through the air, for I know it’s only a motion to bring out 
all the brats in the village. Well! the Lord won’t see the 
waste of his creatures for nothing, and right will be done 
I to the pigeons, as well as others, by and by. There’s Mr. 
Oliver, as bad as the rest of them, firing into the flocks, as 
if he was shooting down nothing but Mingo warriors.” 

Among the sportsmen was Billy Kirby, who, armed with 
an old musket, was loading, and without even looking into 
the air, was firing and shouting as his victims fell even on 
his own person. He heard the speech of Natty, and took 
upon himself to reply — 

^‘What! old Leather-stocking,” he cried, ‘‘grumbling at 
the loss of a few pigeons ! If you had to sow your wheat 
twice, and three times, as I have done, you wouldn’t be so 
massyfully feeling towapds the divils. Hurrah, boys! scat- 
ter the feathers ! This is better than shooting at a turkey’s 
head and neck, old fellow.” 

“It’s better for you, maybe, Billy Kirby,” replied the 
indignant old hunter, “ and all them that don’t know how to 
put a ball down a rifle-barrel, or how to bring it up again 
with a true aim ; but it’s wicked to be shooting into flocks in 
this wasty manner ; and none do it, who know how to knock 
over a single bird. If a body has a craving for pigeon’s 
flesh, why, it’s made the same as all other creaters, for 
man’s eating; but not to kill twenty and eat one. When I 
want such a thing I go into the woods till I find one to my 
■ liking, and then I shoot him off the branches, without touch- 
ing the feather of another, though there might be a hundred 
on the same tree. You couldn’t do such a thing, Billy Kirby 
— you couldn’t do it, if you tried.” 

“What’s that, old corn-stalk! you sapless stub!” cried 
the wood-chopper. “You have grown wordy, since the 


254 


THE PIONEERS. 


affair of the turkey; but if you are for a single shot, here 
goes at that bird which comes on by himself.” 

The fire from the distant part of the field had driven a 
single pigeon below the flock to which it belonged, and, 
frightened with the constant reports of the muskets, it was 
approaching the spot where the disputants stood, darting 
first from one side and then to the other, cutting the air 
with the swiftness of lightning, and making a noise with 
its wings, not unlike the rushing of a bullet. Unfortu- 
nately for the wood-chopper, notwithstanding his vaunt, he 
did not see this bird until it was too late to fire as it ap- 
proached, and he pulled his trigger at the unlucky moment 
when it was darting immediately over his head. The bird 
continued its course with the usual velocity. 

Natty lowered the rifle from his arm when the challenge 
was made, and waiting a moment, until the terrified victim 
had got in a line with his eye, and had dropped near the 
bank of the lake, he raised it again with uncommon rapid- 
ity, and fired. It might have been chance, or it might have 
been skill, that produced the result; it was probably a union 
of both ; but the pigeon whirled over in the air, and fell into 
the lake, with a broken wing. At the sound of his rifle, 
both his dogs started from his feet, and in a few minutes 
the “slut” brought out the bird, still alive. 

The wonderful exploit of Leather-stocking was noised 
through the field with great rapidity, and the sportsmen 
gathered in, to learn the truth of the report. ( 

“ What ! ” said young Edwards, “ have you really killed 
a pigeon on the wing, Natty, with a single ball?” 

“Haven’t I killed loons before now, lad, that dive at the 
flash? ” returned the hunter. “ It’s much better to kill only 
such as you want, without wasting your powder and lead, 
than to be firing into God’s creators in this wicked manner. 
But I came out for a bird, and you know the reason why 
I like small game, Mr. Oliver ; and now I have got one I will 
go home, for I don’t relish to see these wasty ways that you 
are all practysing as if the least thing wasn’t made for use, 
and not to destroy.” 

“Thou sayest well. Leather-stocking,” cried Marmaduke, 


THE PIONEERS. 255 

and I begin to think it time to ^jut an end to this work of 
destruction.’’ 

‘‘Put an ind, Judge, to your clearings. An’t the woods 
his work as well as the pigeons? Use, but don’t waste. 
Wasn’t the woods made for the beasts and birds to harbor 
in? and when man wanted their flesh, their skins, or their 
feathers, there’s the place to seek them. But I’ll go to the 
hut with my own game, for I wouldn’t touch one of the 
harmless things that cover the ground here, looking up 
with their eyes on me, as if they only wanted tongues to 
say their thoughts.” 

With this sentiment in his mouth. Leather-stocking threw 
his rifle over his arm, and followed by his dogs, stepped 
Across the clearing with great caution, taking care not to 
f tread on one of the wounded birds in his path. He soon 
entered the bushes on the margin of the lake, and was hid 
from view. 

Whatever impression the morality of Natty made on the 
Judge, it was utterly lost on Richard. He availed himself 
of the gathering of the sportsmen to lay a plan for one 
“fell swoop ” of destruction. The musket men were drawn 
up in battle array, in a line extending on each side of his 
artillery, with orders to await the signal of firing from 
himself. 

“Stand by, my lads,” said Benjamin, who acted as an 
aide-de-camp on this occasion, “ stand by, my hearties, and 
when Squire Dickens heaves out the signal to begin firing, 
d’ye see, you may open upon them in a broadside. Take 
care and fire low, boys, and you’ll be sure to hull the flock.” 

“ Fire low ! ” shouted Kirby : — “ hear the old fool ! If 
we fire low, we may hit the stumps, but not ruffle a 
pigeon.” 

“How should you know, you lubber?” cried Benjamin, 
with a very unbecoming heat for an offlcer on the eve of 
battle — “ how should you know, you grampus? Haven’t I 
sailed aboard of the Boadishey for five years? and wasn’t it 
a standing order to fire low, and to hull your enemy? Keep 
silence at your guns, boys, and mind the order that is passed.” 

The loud laughs of the musket men were silenced by the 


256 


THE PIONEERS. 


more authoritative voice of Kichard, who called for atten- 
tion and obedience to his signals. | 

Some millions of pigeons were supposed to have already I 
passed, that morning, over the valley of Templeton; but 
nothing like the flock that was now approaching had been : 
seen before. It extended from mountain to mountain in one 
solid blue mass, and the eye looked in vain, over the southern ' 
hills, to find its termination. The front of this living col- 
umn was distinctly marked by a line but very slightly | 
indented, so regular and even was the flight. Even Mar- 
maduke forgot the morality of Leather-stocking as it ap- 
proached, and, in common with the rest, brought his musket ’ 
to a poise. ! 

Eire ! ” cried the Sheriff, clapping a coal to the priming 
of the cannon. As half of Benjamin’s charge escaped 
through the touch-hole, the whole volley of the musketry 
preceded the report of the swivel. On receiving this united 
discharge of small-arms, the front of the flock darted up- 
wards, while, at the same instant, myriads of those in the * 
rear rushed with amazing rapidity into their places, so that j 
when the column of white smoke gushed from the mouth I 
of the little cannon, an accumulated mass of objects was ^ 
gliding over its point of direction. The roar of the gun 
echoed along the mountains, and died away to the north, 
like distant thunder, while the whole flock of alarmed birds 
seemed, for a moment, thrown into one disorderly and agi- 
tated mass. The air was filled with their irregular flight, 
layer rising above layer, far above the tops of the highest 
pines, none daring to advance beyond the dangerous pass; 
when, suddenly, some of the leaders of the feathered tribe 
shot across the valley, taking their flight directly over the 
village, and hundreds of thousands in their rear followed 
the example, deserting the eastern side of the plain to their 
persecutors and the slain. 

‘‘Victory!” shouted Richard, “victory! we have driven 
the enemy from the field.” 

“Not so, Dickon,” said Marmaduke: “the field is cov- 
ered with them ; and, like the Leather-stocking, I see nothing 
but eyes, in every direction, as the innocent sufferers turn 


THE PIONEERS. 


257 


their heads in terror. Pull one-half of those that have 
fallen are yet alive ; and I think it is time to end the sport, 
if sport it be.’’ 

Sport ! ” cried the Sheriff ; “ it is princely sport ! There 
are some thousands of the blue-coated boys on the ground, 
so that every old woman in the village may have a pot-pie 
for the asking.” 

^^Well, we have happily frightened the birds from this 
side of the valley,” said Marmaduke, ^^and the carnage must 
of necessity end, for the present. Boys, I will give you six- 
pence a hundred for the pigeons’ heads only : so go to work, 
and bring them into the village.” 

This expedient produced the desired effect, for every 
urchin on the ground went industriously to work to wring 
the necks of the wounded birds. Judge Temple retired 
towards his dwelling with that kind of feeling that many 
a man has experienced before him, who discovers, after the 
excitement of the moment has passed, that he has purchased 
pleasure at the price of misery to others. Horses were 
loaded with the dead; and, after this first burst of sport- 
ing, the shooting of pigeons became a business, with a few 
idlers, for the remainder of the season. Eichard, however, 
boasted for many a year, of his shot with the ''cricket”; 
and Benjamin gravely asserted, that he thought they killed 
nearly as many pigeons on that day, as there were French- 
men destroyed on the memorable occasion of Eodney’s 
victory. 


CHAPTEK XXIII. 


Help, masters, help; 
right in the law. 


here’s a fish hangs in the net, like a poor man’s 
Pericles of Tyre. 


The advance of the season now became as rapid as its 
first approach had been tedious and lingering. The days 
were uniformly mild, while the nights, though cool, were 
no longer chilled by frosts. The whip-poor-will was heard 
whistling his melancholy notes along the margin of the lake, 
and the ponds and meadows were sending forth the music of 
their thousand tenants. The leaf of the native poplar was 
seen quivering in the woods; the sides of the mountains 
began to lose their hue of brown, as the lively green of the 
different members of the forest blended their shades with 
the permanent colors of the pine and hemlock ; and even the 
buds of the tardy oak were swelling with the promise of the 
coming summer. The gay and fluttering blue-bird, the social 
robin, and the industrious little wren, were all to be seen 
enlivening the fields with their presence and their songs; 
while the soaring fish-hawk was already hovering over the 
waters of the Otsego, watching, with native voracity, for 
the appearance of his prey. 

The tenants of the lake were far famed for both their 
quantities and their quality, and the ice had hardly disap- 
peared, before numberless little boats were launched from 
the shores, and the lines of the fishermen were dropped 
into the inmost recesses of its deepest caverns, tempting 
the unwary animals with every variety of bait that the 
ingenuity or the art of man had invented. But the slow, 
though certain adventures with hook and line were ill suited 
to the profusion and impatience of the settlers. More de- 
structive means were resorted to; and, as the season had now 

258 


THE PIONEERS. 


259 


arrived when the bass-fisheries were allowed by the pro- 
visions of the law that Judge Temple had procured, the 
Sheriff declared his intention, by availing himself of the 
first dark night, to enjoy the sport in person. 

^‘And you shall be present, cousin Bess,’^ he added, 
when he announced this design, ‘‘and Miss Grant, and 
Mr. Edwards; and I will show you what I call fishing — 
not nibble, nibble, nibble, as Muke does when he goes 
after the salmon-trout. There he will sit for hours, in a 
.broiling sun, or, perhaps, over a hole in the ice, in the 
coldest days in winter, under the lee of a few bushes, and 
not a fish will he catch, after all this mortification of the 
flesh. No, no — give me a good seine that’s fifty or sixty 
fathoms in length, with a jolly parcel of boatmen to crack 
their jokes the while, with Benjamin to steer, and let us 
haul them in by thousands; I. call that fishing.” 

“Ah! Dickon,” cried Marmaduke, “thou knowest but 
little of the pleasure there is in playing with the hook and 
line, or thou wouldst be more saving of the game. I have 
known thee to leave fragments enough behind thee, when 
thou hast headed a night-party on the lake, to feed a dozen 
famishing families.” 

“I shall not dispute the matter. Judge Temple ; this 
night will I go ; and I invite the company to attend, and 
then let them decide between us.” 

Richard was busy, during most of the afternoon, making 
his preparations for the important occasion. Just as the 
light of the setting sun had disappeared, and a new moon 
had begun to throw its shadows on the earth, the fishermen 
took their departure in a boat, for a point that was situated 
on the western shore of the lake, at the distance of rather 
more than half a mile from the village. The ground had 
become settled, and the walking was good and dry. Mar- 
maduke, with his daughter, her friend, and young Edwards, 
continued on the high grassy banks at the outlet of the placid 
sheet of water, watching the dark object that was moving 
across the lake, until it entered the shade of the western 
hills, and was lost to the eye. The distance round by land 
to the point of destination was a mile and he observed — ■ 


260 


THE PIONEERS. 


‘‘ It is time for us to be moving : the moon will be down 
ere we reach the point, and then the miraculous hauls of 
Dickon will commence.” 

The evening was warm, and, after the long and dreary- 
winter from which they had just escaped, delightfully 
invigorating. Inspirited by the scene and their anticipated 
amusement, the youthful companions of the Judge followed 
his steps, as he led them along the shores of the Otsego, and 
through the skirts of the village. 

See ! ” said young Edwards, they are building their fire 
already ; it glimmers for a moment, and dies again like the 
light of a fire-fly.” 

“Now it blazes,” cried Elizabeth; “you can perceive fig- 
ures moving around the light. Oh ! I would bet my jewels 
against the gold beads of Eemarkable, that my impatient 
cousin Dickon had an agency in raising that bright flame; 
and see; it fades again, like most of his brilliant schemes.” 

“Thou hast guessed the truth, Bess,” said her father; 
“ he has thrown an armful of brush on the pile, Avhich has 
burnt out as soon as lighted. But it has enabled them to 
find a better fuel, for their fire begins to blaze with a more 
steady flame. It is the true fisherman’s beacon now ; observe 
how beautifully it throws its little circle of light on the 
water ! ” 

The appearance of the fire urged the pedestrians on, for 
even the ladies had become eager to witness the miraculous 
draught. By the time they reached the bank, which rose 
above the low point where the fishermen had landed, the 
moon had sunk behind the tops of the western pines, and, 
as most of the stars were obscured by clouds, there was but 
little other light than that which proceeded from the fire. 
At the suggestion of Marmaduke, his companions paused to 
listen to the conversation of those below them, and examine 
the party for a moment before they descended to the shore. 

The whole group were seated around the fire, with the 
exception of Eichard and Benjamin; the former of whom 
occupied the root of a decayed stump, that had been drawn 
to the spot as part of their fuel, and the latter was stand- 
ing, with his arms a-kimbo, so near to the flame, that the 


THE PIONEERS. 


261 


smoke occasionally obscured his solemn visage, as it waved 
around the pile, in obedience to the night airs that swept 
gently over the water. 

“Why, look you. Squire,” said the major-domo, “you may 
call a lake-fish that will weigh twenty or thirty pounds a 
serious matter; but to a man who has hauled in a shovel- 
nosed shirk, d^ye see, it’s but a poor kind of fishing after 
all.” 

“I don’t know, Benjamin,” returned the Sheriff: “a haul 
of one thousand Otsego bass, without counting pike, pick- 
erel, perch, bull-pouts, salmon-trouts, and suckers, is no 
bad fishing, let me tell you. There may be sport in stick- 
ing a shark, but what is he good for after you have got 
him? Now, any one of the fish that I have named is fit 
to set before a king.” 

“Well, Squire,” returned Benjamin, “just listen to the 
philosophy of the thing. Would it stand to reason, that 
such fish should live and be catched in this here little pond 
of water, where it’s hardly deep enough to drown a man, as 
you’ll find in the wide ocean, where, as everybody knows, 
that is, everybody that has followed the seas, whales and 
grampuses are to be seen, that are as long as one of the 
pine trees on yonder mountain?” 

“Softly, softly, Benjamin,” said the Sheriff, as if he 
wished to save the credit of his favorite; “why, some of 
the pines will measure two hundred feet, and even more.” 

“Two hundred or two thousand, it’s all the same thing,” 
cried Benjamin, with an air which manifested that he was 
not easily to be bullied out of his opinion, on a subject like 
the present. “ Haven’t I been there, and haven’t I seen? I 
have said that you fall in with whales as long as one of 
them there pines ; and what I have once said I’ll stand to ! ” 

During this dialogue, which was evidently but the close 
of a much longer discussion, the huge frame of Billy Kirby 
was seen extended on one side of the fire, where he was 
picking his teeth with splinters of the chips near him, and 
occasionally shaking his head with distrust of Benjamin’s 
assertions. 

“I’ve a notion,” said the wood-chopper, “that there’s 


262 THE PIONEERS. 

water in this lake to swim the biggest whale that ever 
was invented ; and, as to the pines, I think I ought to know 
so’thing consarning them; I have chopped many a one that 
was sixty times the length of my helve, without counting the 
eye : and I believe, Benny, that if the old pine that stands 
in the hollow of the Vision Mountain, just over the village 
— you may see the tree itself by looking up, for the moon is 
on its top yet — well, now I believe, if that same tree was 
planted out in the deepest part of the lake, there would 
be water enough for the biggest ship that ever was built to 
float over it, without touching its upper branches, I do.” 

^‘Did’ee ever see a ship. Master Kirby?” roared the 
steward — “ did’ee ever see a ship, man? or any craft bigger 
than a lime-scow, or a wood-boat, on this here small bit of 
fresh water? ” 

^‘Yes, I have,” said the wood-chopper, stoutly; can 
say that I have, and tell no lie.” 

‘‘Did’ee ever see a British ship. Master Kirby? an Eng- 
lish line-of-battle ship, boy? Where away did’ee ever fall 
in with a regular-built vessel, with s tarn-post and cut- water, 
garboard streak and plank-shear, gangways, and hatchways, 
and waterways, quarter-deck and forecastle, ay, and flush- 
deck? Tell me that, man, if you can; where away did’ee 
ever fall in with a full-rigged, regular-built, decked vessel?” 

The whole company were a good deal astounded with 
this overwhelming question, and even Richard afterwards 
remarked, that it ‘^was a thousand pities that Benjamin 
could not read, or he must have made a valuable officer to 
the British marine. It is no wonder that they overcame 
the Erench so easily on the water, when even the lowest 
sailor so well understood the different parts of a vessel.” 
But Billy Kirby was a fearless wight, and had great jeal- 
ousy of foreign dictation; he had arisen on his feet, and 
turned his back to the fire, during the voluble delivery of 
this interrogatory; and when the steward ended, contrary 
to all expectation, he gave the following spirited reply: 

‘‘Where! why on the North River, and maybe on Cham- 
plain. There’s sloops on the river, boy, that would give a 
hard time on’t to the stoutest vessel King George owns. 


THE PIONEERS. 


263 


They carry masts of ninety feet in the clear of good solid 
pine, for I’ve been at the chopping of many a one in Yar- 
mount state. I wish I was captain in one of them, and you 
was in that Board-dish that you talk so much about ; and 
we’d soon see what good Yankee stuff is made on, and 
whether a Varmounter’s hide an’t as thick as an English- 
man’s.” 

The echoes from the opposite hills, which were more 
than half a mile from the fishing-point, sent back the dis- 
cordant laugh that Benjamin gave forth at this challenge ; 
and the woods that covered their sides seemed, by the noise 
that issued from their shades, to be full of mocking demons. 

“Let us descend to the shore,” whispered Marmaduke, 
“ or there will soon be ill blood between them. Benjamin 
is a fearless boaster; and Kirby, though good-natured, is a 
careless son of the forest, who thinks one American more 
than a match for six Englishmen. I marvel that Dickon is 
silent, where there is such a trial of skill in the superlative ! ” 

The appearance of Judge Temple and the ladies pro- 
duced, if not a pacification, at least a cessation of hostili- 
ties. Obedient to the directions of Mr. Jones, the fishermen 
prepared to launch their boat, which had been seen in the 
background of the view, with the net carefully disposed on 
a little platform in its stern, ready for service. Eichard 
gave vent to his reproaches at the tardiness of the pedes- 
trians, when all the turbulent passions of the party were 
succeeded by a calm, as mild and as placid as that which 
prevailed over the beautiful sheet of water that they were 
about to rifle of its best treasures. 

The night had now become so dark as to render objects, 
without the reach of the light of the fire, not only indistinct, 
but in most cases invisible. For a little distance the water 
was discernible, glistening, as the glare from the fire danced 
over its surface, touching it here and there with red quiver- 
ing streaks ; but at a hundred feet from the shore, there lay 
a boundary of impenetrable gloom. One or two stars were 
shining through the openings of the clouds, and the lights 
were seen in the village, glimmering faintly, as if at an 
immeasurable distance. At times as the fire lowered, or as 


264 


THE PIONEERS. 


the horizon cleared, the outline of the mountain, on the 
other side of the lake, might be traced by its undulations ; 
but its shadow was cast, wide and dense, on the bosom of 
the water, rendering the darkness in that direction trebly 
deep. 

Benjamin Pump was invariably the cockswain and net- 
caster of Bichard’s boat, unless the Sheriff saw fit to pre- 
side in person; and, on the present occasion, Billy Kirby, 
and a youth of about half his strength, were assigned to 
the oars. The remainder of the assistants were stationed 
at the drag ropes. The arrangements were speedily made, 
and Eichard gave the signal to shove off.” 

Elizabeth watched the motion of the batteau as it pulled 
from the shore, letting loose its rope as it went, but it soon 
disappeared in the darkness, when the ear was her only 
guide to its evolutions. There was great affectation of 
stillness during all these manoeuvres, in order, as Eichard 
assured them, “ not to frighten the bass, who were running 
into the shoal waters, and who would approach the light if 
not disturbed by the sounds from the fishermen.” 

The hoarse voice of Benjamin was alone heard issuing 
out of the gloom, as he uttered, in authoritative tones, 
“pull larboard oar;” “pull starboard,” “give way together, 
boys, ” and such other dictative mandates as were necessary 
for the right disposition of his seine. A long time was 
passed in this necessary part of the process, for Benjamin 
prided himself greatly on his skill in throwing the net, 
and, in fact, most of the success of the sport depended on 
its being done with judgment. At length a loud splash in 
the water, as he threw away the “staff,” or “stretcher,” 
with a hoarse call from the steward, of “clear,” announced 
that the boat was returning ; when Eichard seized a brand 
from the fire, and ran to a point, as far above the centre of 
the fishing-ground, as the one from which the batteau had 
started was below it. 

“Stick her in dead for the Squire, boys,” said the stew- 
ard, “and we’ll have a look at what grows in thig here 
pond.” 

In place of the falling net were now to be heard the 


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265 


quick strokes of the oars, and the noise of the rope run- 
ning out of the boat. Presently the batteau shot into the 
circle of light, and in an instant she was pulled to shore. 
Several eager hands were extended to receive the line, and 
both ropes being equally well manned, the fishermen com- 
menced hauling in with slow and steady drags, Eichard stand- 
ing in the centre, giving orders, first to one party, and then 
to the other to increase or slacken their efforts, as occasion 
required. The visitors were posted near him, and enjoyed 
a fair view of the whole operation, which was slowly advanc- 
ing to an end. 

Opinions as to the result of their adventure were now 
freely hazarded by all the men, some declaring that the net 
came in as light as a feather, and others affirming that it 
seemed to be full of logs. As the ropes were many hundred 
feet in length, these opposing sentiments were thought to 
be of little moment by the Sheriff, who would go first to 
one line and then to the other, giving each a small pull, in 
order to enable him to form an opinion for himself. 

‘‘Why, Benjamin,’’ he cried, as he made his first effort in 
this way, “you did not throw the net clear. I can move it 
with my little finger. The rope slackens in my hand.” 

“Did you ever see a whale. Squire?” responded the stew- 
ard : “ I say that if that there net is foul, the devil is in the 
lake in the shape of a fish, for I cast it as fair as ever rigging 
was rove over the quarter-deck of a flag-ship.” 

But Eichard discovered his mistake, when he saw Billy 
Kirby before him, standing with his feet in the water, at 
an angle of forty-five degrees, inclining shorewards, and 
expending his gigantic strength in sustaining himself in 
that posture. He ceased his remonstrances, and proceeded 
to the party at the other line. 

“I see the ‘staffs/” shouted Mr. Jones; “gather in, 
boys, and away with it; to shore with her! to shore with 
her ! ” 

At this cheerful sound, Elizabeth strained her eyes and 
saw the ends of the two sticks on the seine emerging from 
the darkness, while the men closed near to each other, and 
formed a deep bag of their net. The exertions of the fish- 


266 


THE PIONEERS. 


ermen sensibly increased, and the voice of Kichard was 
heard encouraging them to make their greatest efforts at 
the present moment. 

‘‘JSTow/s the time, my lads,” he cried; ‘‘let us get the 
ends to land, and all we have will be our own — away with 
her!” 

“Away with her, it is,” echoed Benjamin! “Hurrah! 
ho-a-hoy, ho-a-hoy, ho-a ! ” 

“ In with her,” shouted Kirby, exerting himself in a man- 
ner that left nothing for those in his rear to do but to 
gather up the slack of the rope which passed through his 
hands. 

“ Staff, ho ! ” shouted the steward. 

“ Staff, ho ! ” echoed Kirby, from the other rope. 

The men rushed to the water’s edge, some seizing the 
upper rope, and some the lower, or lead-rope, and began 
to haul with great activity and zeal. A deep semicircular 
sweep of the little balls that supported the seine in its per- 
pendicular position, was plainly visible to the spectators, 
and, as it rapidly lessened in size, the bag of the net ap- 
peared, while an occasional flutter on the water announced 
the uneasiness of the prisoners it contained. 

“Haul in, my lads,” shouted Richard; “I can see the 
dogs kicking to get free. Haul in, and here’s a cast that 
will pay for the labor.” 

Fishes of various sorts were now to be seen, entangled in 
the meshes of the net, as it was passed through the hands 
of the laborers ; and the water, at a little distance from the 
shore, was alive with the movements of the alarmed vic- 
tims. Hundreds of white sides were glancing up to the 
surface of the water, and glistening in the firelight, when, 
frightened at the uproar and the change, the fish would again 
dart to the bottom, in fruitless efforts for freedom. 

“ Hurrah ! ” shouted Richard ; “ one or two more heavy 
drags, boys, and we are safe.” 

“Cheerily, boys, cheerily!” cried Benjamin; “I see a 
salmon-trout that is big enough for a chowder.” 

“Away with you, you varmint!” said Billy Kirby, 
plucking a bull-pout from the meshes, and casting the 


THE PIONEERS. 


267 


animal back into the lake with contempt. “Pull, boys, 
pull; here’s all kinds, and the Lord condemn me for a 
liar, if there an’t a thousand bass ! ” 

Inflamed beyond the bounds of discretion at the sight, 
and forgetful of* the season, the wood-chopper rushed to 
his middle into the water, and began to drive the reluctant 
animals before him from their native element. 

“Pull heartily, boys,” cried Marmaduke, yielding to the 
excitement of the moment, and laying his hands to the 
net, with no trifling addition to the force. Edwards had 
preceded him; for the sight of the immense piles of fish, 
that were slowly rolling over on the gravelly beach, had 
impelled him also to leave the ladies, and join the fisher- 
men. 

Great care was observed in bringing the net to land, and, 
after much toil, the whole shoal of victims was safely de- 
posited in a hollow of the bank, where they were left to 
flutter away their brief existence in the new and fatal 
element. 

Even Elizabeth and Louisa were greatly excited and 
highly gratified by seeing two thousand captives thus 
drawn from the bosom of the lake, and laid prisoners at 
their feet. But when the feelings of the moment were 
passing away, Marmaduke took in his hands a bass that 
might have weighed two pounds, and after viewing it a 
moment, in melancholy musing, he turned to his daughter, 
and observed — 

“This is a fearful expenditure of the choicest gifts of 
Providence. These fish, Bess, which thou seest lying in 
such piles before thee, and which by to-morrow evening 
will be rejected food on the meanest table in Temple- 
ton, are of a quality and flavor that, in other countries, 
would make them esteemed a luxury on the tables of 
princes or epicures. The world has ho better fish than 
the bass of Otsego : it unites the richness of the shad ^ to 
the firmness of the salmon.” 

“But surely, dear sir,” cried Elizabeth, “they must prove 

1 Of all the fish the writer has ever tasted, he thinks the one in ques- 
tion the best. 


268 


THE PIOKEERS. 


a great blessing to the country, and a powerful friend to the 
poor/’ 

‘‘ The poor are always prodigal, my child, where there is 
plenty, and seldom think of a provision against the morrow. 
But if there can be any excuse for destroying animals in this 
manner, it is in taking the bass. During the winter, you 
know, they are entirely protected from our assaults by the 
ice, for they refuse the hook; and during the hot months 
they are not seen. It is supposed they retreat to the deep 
and cool waters of the lake, at that season; and it is only 
in the spring and autumn, that, for a few days, they are to be 
found around the points where they are within the reach of 
a seine. But, like all the other treasures of the wilderness, 
they already begin to disappear before the wasteful extrava- 
gance of man.” 

‘‘Disappear, ’duke! disappear!” exclaimed the Sheriff; 
“ if you don’t call this appearing, I know not what you will. 
Here are a good thousand of the shiners, some hundreds of 
suckers, and a powerful quantity of other fry. But this is 
always the way with you, Marmaduke; first it’s the trees, 
then it’s the deer, after that it’s the maple sugar, and so 
on to the end of the chapter. One day you talk of canals 
through a country where there’s a river or a lake every 
half-mile, just because the water won’t run the way you 
wish it to go ; and the next, you say something about mines 
of coal, though any man who has good eyes like myself — I 
say with good eyes — can see more wood than would keep 
the city of London in fuel for fifty years; wouldn’t it, 
Benjamin? ” 

“Why, for that, Squire,” said the steward, “Lon’on is 
no small place. If it was stretched an end, all the same 
as a town on one side of a river, it would cover some such 
matter as this here lake. Thof I da,r’st to say, that the 
wood in sight might sarve them a good turn, seeing that 
the Lon’oners mainly burn coal.” 

“Now we are on the subject of coal. Judge Temple,” 
interrupted the Sheriff, “I have a thing of much impor- 
tance to communicate to you; but I will defer it until 
to-morrow. I know that you intend riding into the east- 


THE PIONEERS. 


269 


ern part of the Patent, and I will accompany you, and 
conduct you to a spot where some of your projects may be 
realized. We will say no more now, for there are listeners; 
but a secret has this evening been revealed to me, ’duke, that 
is of more consequence to your welfare than all your estate 
united.” 

Marmaduke laughed at the important intelligence, to 
which in a variety of shapes he was accustomed, and the 
Sheriff, with an air of great dignity, as if pitying his want 
of faith, proceeded in the business more immediately before 
them. As the labor of drawing the net had been very great, 
he directed one party of his men to commence throwing the 
fish into piles, preparatory to the usual division, while 
another, under the superintendence of Benjamin, prepared 
the seine for a second haul. 


CHAPTER XXIV. 


While from its margin, terrible to tell! 

Three sailors with their gallant boatswain fell. 

Falconer. 

While the fishermen were employed in making the prepa- 
rations for an equitable division of the spoil, Elizabeth and 
her friend strolled a short distance from the group, along 
the shore of the- lake. After reaching a point, to which 
even the brightest of the occasional gleams of the fire did 
not extend, they turned, and paused a moment, in contem- 
plation of the busy and lively party they had left, and of 
the obscurity, “which, like the gloom of oblivion, seemed to 
envelop the rest of the creation. 

“This is indeed a subject for the pencil!’^ exclaimed 
Elizabeth. “Observe the countenance of that wood-chopper, j 
while he exults in presenting a larger fish than common to 
my cousin Sheriff ; and see, Louisa, how handsome and con- 
siderate my dear father looks, by the light of that fire, 
where he stands viewing the havoc of the game. He seems 
melancholy, as if he actually thought that a day of retribu- 
tion was to follow this hour of abundance and prodigality ! 
Would they not make a picture, Louisa?’’ 

“ You know that I am ignorant of all such accomplish- 
ments, Miss Temple.” 

' “ Call me by my Christian name,” interrupted Elizabeth ; 

“ this is not a place, neither is this a scene, for forms.” 

“Well, then, if I may venture an opinion,” said Louisa,- 
timidly, “ I should think it might indeed make a picture. 
The selfish earnestness of that Kirby over his fish would 
contrast finely with the — the — expression of Mr. Edwards’s 
face. I hardly know what to call it ; but it is — a — is — 
you know what I would say, dear Elizabeth.” 

270 


THE PIONEERS. 


271 


You do me too much credit, Miss Grant, said the heir- 
ess ; I am no diviner of thoughts, or interpreter of ex- 
pressions.^’ 

There was certainly nothing harsh, or even cold, in the 
manner of the speaker, but still it repressed the conversa- 
tion, and they continued to stroll still further from the 
party, retaining each other’s arm, but observing a profound 
silence. Elizabeth, perhaps, conscious of the improper 
phraseology of her last speech, or perhaps excited by the 
new object that met her gaze, was the first to break the 
awkward cessation in the discourse, by exclaiming — 

“ Look, Louisa ! we are not alone ; there are fishermen 
lighting a fire on the other side of the lake, immediately 
opposite to us ; it must be in front of the cabin of Leather- 
stocking ! ” 

Through the obscurity, which prevailed most immediately 
under the eastern mountain, a small and uncertain light 
was plainly to be seen, though, as it was occasionally lost to 
the eye, it seemed struggling for existence. . They observed 
it to move, and sensibly to lower, as if carried down the 
descent of the bank to the shore. Here, in a very short time, 
its flame gradually expanded, and grew brighter, until it be- 
came of the size of a man’s head, when it continued to shine 
a steady ball of fire. 

Such an object, lighted as it were by magic, under the 
brow of the mountain, and in that retired and unfrequented 
place, gave double interest to the beauty and singularity of 
its appearance. It did not at all resemble the large and 
unsteady light of their own fire, being much more clear and 
bright, and retaining its size and shape with perfect uni- 
formity. 

There are moments when the best-regulated minds are 
more or less subjected to the injurious impressions which 
few have escaped in infancy ; and Elizabeth smiled at her 
own weakness, while she remembered the idle tales which 
were circulated through the village, at the expense of the 
Leather-stocking. The same ideas seized her companion, 
and at the same instant, for Louisa pressed nearer to her 
friend, as she said in a low voice, stealing a timid glance 


272 


THE PIONEERS. 


towards the bushes and trees that overhung the bank near 
them : 

Did you ever hear the singular ways of this Natty spoken 
of, Miss Temple ? They say that, in his youth, he was an 
Indian warrior; or, what is the same thing, a white man 
leagued with the savages ; and it is thought he has been con- 
cerned in many of their inroads, in the old wars.” 

The thing is not at all improbable,” returned Elizabeth ; 
he is not alone in that particular.” 

“No, surely ; but is it not strange that he is so cautious 
with his hut ? He never leaves it, without fastening it in a 
remarkable manner ; and in several instances, when the chil- ■ 
dren, or even the men of the village, have wished to seek a 
shelter there from the storms, he has been known to drive , 
them from his door with rudeness and threats. That, surely, 
is singular in this country ! ” 

“ It is certainly not very hospitable ; but we must remem- 
ber his aversion to the customs of civilized life. You heard \ 
my father say, a few days since, how kindly he was treated 
by him on his first visit to this place.” Elizabeth paused, ,■ 
and smiled, with an expression of peculiar archness, though - 
the darkness hid its meaning from her companion, as she ' 
continued — “ Besides, he certainly admits the visits of Mr. 
Ed'^ards, whom we both know to be far from a savage.” 

To this speech Louisa made no reply ; but continued gaz- 
ing on the object which had elicited her remarks. In addi- 
tion to the bright and circular flame, was now to be seen a 
fainter, though a vivid light, of an equal diameter to the 
other at the upper end; but which, after extending down- 
wards for many feet, gradually tapered to a point at its 
lower extremity. A dark space was plainly visible between 
the two; and the new illumination was placed beneath 
the other ; the whole forming an appearance not unlike an 
inverted note of admiration. It was soon evident that the 
latter was nothing but the reflection, from the water, of the 
former ; and that the object, whatever it might be, was ad- 
vancing across, or rather over, the lake, for it seemed to be 
several feet above its surface, in a direct line with them- 
selves. Its motion was amazingly rapid, the ladies having 


THE PIONEERS. 


273 


hardly discovered that it was moving at all, before the 
waving light of a flame was discerned, losing its regular 
shape, while it increased in size, as it approached. 

It appears to be supernatural ! ’’ whispered Louisa, begin- 
ning to retrace her steps towards the party. 

It is beautiful ! ’’ exclaimed Elizabeth. 

A brilliant, though waving flame, was now plainly visible, 
gracefully gliding over the lake, and throwing its light on 
the water in such a manner as to tinge it slightly ; though 
in the air, so strong was the contrast, the darkness seemed to 
have the distinctness of material substances, as if the fire were 
imbedded in a setting of ebony. This appearance, however, 
gradually wore off ; and the rays from the torch struck out, 
and enlightened the atmosphere in front of it, leaving the 
background in a darkness that was more impenetrable than 
ever. ^ 

Ho ! Hatty, is that you ? shouted the Sheriff. Paddle 
in, old boy, and I’ll give you a mess of fish that is fit to 
place before the Governor.” 

The light suddenly changed its direction, and a long and 
slightly built boat hove up out of the gloom, while the red 
glare fell on the weather-beaten features of the Leather- 
stocking, whose tall person was seen erect in the frail vessel, 
wielding, with the grace of an experienced boatman, a long 
fishing-spear, which he held by its centre, first dropping one 
end and then the other into the water, to aid in propelling 
the little canoe of bark, we will not say through, but over, 
the water. At the further end of the vessel a form was 
faintly seen, guiding its motions, and using a paddle with 
the ease of one who felt there was no necessity for exertion. 
The Leather-stocking struck his spear lightly against the 
short staff which upheld, on a rude grating framed of old 
hoops of iron, the knots of pine that composed the fuel, and 
the light, which glared high, for an instant fell on the 
swarthy features, and dark, glancing eyes of Mohegan. 

The boat glided along the shore until it arrived opposite 
the fishing-ground, when it again changed its direction, and 
moved on to the land, with a motion so graceful, and yet so 
rapid, that it seemed to possess the power of regulating its 

T 


274 


THE PIONEERS. 


own progress. The water in front of the canoe was hardly 
rufaed by its passage, and no sound betrayed the collision, 
when the light fabric shot on the gravelly beach for nearly 
half its length. Natty receding a step or two from its bow, 
in order to facilitate the landing. 

Approach, Mohegan,” said Marmaduke; approach. 
Leather-stocking, and load your canoe with bass. It would 
be a shame to assail the animals with the spear, when 
such multitudes of victims lie here, that will be lost as food 
for the want of mouths to consume them.’’ 

^^No, no. Judge,” returned Natty, his tall figure stalking 
over the narrow beach, and ascending to the little grassy 
bottom where the fish were laid in piles : I eat of no man’s 
wasty ways. I strike my spear into the eels or the trout, 
when I crave the creators; but I wouldn’t be helping to 
such a sinful kind of fishing for the best rifie that was ever 
brought out from the old countries. II they had fur, like a 
beaver, or you could tan their hides, like a buck, something 
might be said in favor of taking them by the thousands with 
your nets ; but as God made them for man’s food, and for 
no other disarnable reason, I call it sinful and wasty to 
catch more than can be eat.” 

Your reasoning is mine : for once, old hunter, we agree 
in opinion ; and I heartily wish we could make a convert of 
the Sheriff. A net of half the size of this would supply ' 
the whole village with fish for a week at one haul.” 

The Leather-stocking did not relish this alliance in senti- | 
ment ; and he shook his head doubtingly, as he answered — | 
No, no ; we are not much of one mind. Judge, or you’d 
never turn good hunting-grounds into stumpy pastures. 
And you fish and hunt out of rule ; but, to me, the flesh is i 
sweeter where the creater has some chance for its life : for 
that reason, I always use a single ball, even if it be at a bird 
or a squirrel. Besides, it saves lead ; for, when a body 
knows how to shoot, one piece of lead is enough for all, 
except hard-lived animals.” ^ 

The Sheriff heard these opinions with great indignation ; 
and when he completed the last arrangement for the divi- S' 
sion, by carrying, with his own hands, a trout of a large V 


THE PIONEERS. 


275 


size, and placing it on four different piles in succession, as 
his vacillating ideas of justice required, he gave vent to his 
spleen. 

A very pretty confederacy, indeed ! Judge Temple, the 
landlord and owner of a township, with Nathaniel Bumppo, 
a lawless squatter, and professed deer-killer, in order to 
preserve the game of the county ! But, ’duke, when I 
fish I fish ; so, away, boys, for another haul, and we’ll send 
out wagons and carts in the morning, to bring in our 
prizes.” 

Marmaduke appeared to understand that all opposition to 
the will of the Sheriff would be useless ; and he strolled 
from the fire to the place where the canoe of the hunters 
lay, whither the ladies and Oliver Edwards had already 
preceded him. 

Curiosity induced the females to approach this spot ; but 
it was a different motive that led the youth thither. Eliza- 
beth examined the light ashen timbers and thin bark cover- 
ing of the canoe, in admiration of its neat but simple execu- 
tion, and with wonder that any human being could be so 
daring as to trust his life in so frail a vessel. But the youth 
explained to her the buoyant properties of the boat, and its 
perfect safety when under proper management ; adding, in 
such glowing terms, a description of the manner in which the 
fish were struck with the spear, that she changed suddenly, 
from an apprehension of .the danger of the excursion, to a 
desire to participate in its pleasures. She even ventured a 
proposition to that effect to her father, laughing at the same 
time at her own wish, and accusing herself of acting under 
a woman’s caprice. 

''Say not so, Bess,” returned the Judge: "I would have 
you above the idle fears of a silly girl. These canoes are 
the safest kind of boats to those who have skill and steady 
nerves. I have crossed the broadest part of the Oneida in 
one much smaller than this.” 

"And I the Ontary,” interrupted the Leather-stocking; 
" and that with squaws in the canoe, too. But the Dela- 
ware women are used to the paddle, and are good hands in 
a boat of this nater. If the young lady would like to see 


276 


THE PIONEERS. 


an old man strike a trout for his breakfast, she is welcome 
to a seat. John will say the same, seeing that he built the 
canoe, which was only launched yesterday ; for I’m not over 
curous at such small work as brooms, and basket making, 
and other like Indian trades.” 

Natty gave Elizabeth one of his significant laughs, with 
a kind nod of the head, when he concluded his invitation ; 
but Mohegan, with the native grace of an Indian, approached, 
and taking her soft white hand into his own swarthy and 
wrinkled palm, said — 

^^Come, granddaughter of Miquon, and John will be glad. 
Trust the Indian; his head is old, though his hand is not 
steady. The Young Eagle will go, and see that no harm 
hurts his sister.” 

Mr. Edwards,” said Elizabeth, blushing slightly, your 
friend Mohegan has given a promise for you. Do you re- 
deem the pledge ? ” 

^‘With my life, if necessary. Miss Temple,” cried the 
youth, with fervor. The sight is worth some little appre- 
hension ; for of real danger there is none. I will go with 
you and Miss Grant, however, to save appearances.” 

With me !” exclaimed Louisa. ^^No, not with me, Mr. 
Edwards ; nor, surely, do you mean to trust yourself in that 
slight canoe.” 

But I shall ; for I have no apprehensions any longer,” 
said Elizabeth, stepping into the boat, and taking a seat 
where the Indian directed. ^^Mr. Edwards, you may re- 
main, as three do seem to be enough for such an egg-shell.” 

It shall hold a fourth,” cried the young man, springing 
to her side, with a violence that nearly shook the weak 
fabric of the vessel asunder. Pardon me. Miss Temple, 
that I do not permit these venerable Charons to take you 
to the shades unattended by your genius.” 

Is it a good or evil spirit ? ” asked Elizabeth. 

Good to you.” 

And mine,” added the maiden, with an air that str^gely 
blended pique with satisfaction. But the motion of the canoe 
gave rise to new ideas, and fortunately afforded a good ex- 
cuse to the young man to change the discourse. 


THE PIONEERS. 


277 


It appeared to Elizabeth that they glided over the water 
by magic, so easy and graceful was the manner in which 
Mohegan guided his little bark. A slight gesture with his 
spear indicated the way in which the Leather-stocking 
wished to go, and a profound silence was preserved by the 
whole party, as a precaution necessary to the success of 
their fishery. At that point of the lake, the water shoaled 
regularly, differing in this particular, altogether, from those 
parts where the mountains rose, nearly in perpendicular 
precipices, from the beach. There, the largest vessels could 
have lain, with their yards interlocked with the pines ; while 
here a scanty growth of rushes lifted their tops above the 
lake, gently curling the waters, as their bending heads waved 
with the passing breath of the night air. It was at the shal- 
low points, only, that the bass could be found, or the net 
cast with success. 

Elizabeth saw thousands of these fish swimming in shoals 
along the shallow and warm waters of the shore ; for the 
flaring light of their torch laid bare the mysteries of the 
lake, as plainly as if the limpid sheet of the Otsego was but 
another atmosphere. Every instant she expected to see the 
impending spear of Leather-stocking darting into the throng- 
ing hosts that were rushing beneath her, where it would seem 
that a blow could not go amiss ; and where, as her father 
had already said, the prize that would be obtained was 
worthy any epicure. But Natty had his peculiar habits, 
and, it would seem, his peculiar tastes also. His tall stat- 
ure, and his erect posture, enabled him to see much further 
than those who were seated in the bottom of the canoe ; and 
he turned his head warily in every direction, frequently 
bending his body forward, and straining his vision, as if 
desirous of penetrating the water that surrounded their 
boundary of light. At length his anxious scrutiny was re- 
warded with success, and, waving his spear from the shore, 
he said in a cautious tone — 

^^Send her outside the bass, John; I see a laker there, 
that has run out of the school. It’s seldom one finds such a 
creater in shallow water, where a spear can touch it.” 

Mohegan gave a wave of assent with his hand, and in the 


278 


THE PIONEERS. 


next instant the canoe was without the run of the bass/’ 
and in water nearly twenty feet in depth. A few addi- 
tional knots were laid on the grating, and the light pene- 
trated to the bottom. Elizabeth then saw a fish of unusual 
size fioating above small pieces of logs and sticks. The 
animal was only distinguishable, at that distance, by a 
slight, but almost imperceptible motion of his fins and tail. 
The curiosity excited by this unusual exposure of the 
secrets of the lake seemed to be mutual between the heiress 
of the land and the lord of these waters, for the salmon- 
trout ” soon announced his interest by raising his head and 
body for a few degrees above a horizontal line, and then 
dropping them again into a horizontal position. 

Whist ! whist ! ” said Natty, in a low voice, on hearing 
a slight sound made by Elizabeth in bending over the side 
of the canoe in curiosity ; — “ ’tis a skeary animal, and it’s 
a far stroke for a spear. My handle is but fourteen foot, 
and the creater lies a good eighteen from the top of the 
water ; but I’ll try him, for he’s a ten-pounder.” 

While speaking, the Leather-stocking was poising and 
directing his weapon. Elizabeth saw the bright, polished 
tines, as they slowly and silently entered the water, where 
the refraction pointed them many degrees from the true direc- 
tion of the fish ; and she thought that the intended victim 
saw them also, as he seemed to increase the play of his tail 
and fins, though without moving his station. At the next 
instant the tall body of Natty bent to the water’s edge, and 
the handle of his spear disappeared in the lake. The long, 
dark streak of the gliding weapon, and the little bubbling 
vortex which followed its rapid flight, were easily to be seen ; 
but it was not until the handle shot again into the air by its 
own reaction, and its master catching it in his hand, threw 
its tines uppermost, that Elizabeth was acquainted with the 
success of the blow. A fish of great size was transfixed by 
the barbed steel, and was very soon shaken from its impaled 
situation into the bottom of the canoe. 

That will do, John,” said Natty, raising his prize by one 
of his fingers, and exhibiting it before the torch; shall 
not strike another blow to-night.” 


THE PIONEERS. 279 

The Indian again waved his hand, and replied with the 
simple and energetic monosyllable of — 

Good.’’ 

Elizabetb was awakened from the trance created by this 
scene, and by gazing in that nnusual manner at the bottom 
of the lake, by the hoarse sounds of Benjamin’s voice, and 
the dashing of oars, as the heavier boat of the seine-drawers 
approached the spot where the canoe lay, dragging after it 
the folds of the net. 

^^Haul off, haul off. Master Bnmppo,” cried Benjamin; 

your top-light frightens the fish, who see the net and sheer 
off soundings. A fish knows as much as a horse, or, for 
that matter, more, seeing that it’s brought up on the water. 
Haul off. Master Bummpo, haul off, I say, and give a wide 
berth to the seine.” 

Mohegan guided their little canoe to a point where the 
movements of the fishermen could be observed, without 
interruption to the business, and then suffered it to lie 
quietly on the water, looking like an imaginary vessel float- 
ing in air. There appeared to be much ill humor among 
the party in the batteau, for the directions of Benjamin 
were not only frequent, but issued in a voice that partook 
largely of dissatisfaction. 

“ Pull larboard oar, will ye. Master Kirby ? ” cried the 
old seaman; ^^pull larboard best. It would puzzle the 
oldest admiral in the British fleet to cast this here net fair, 
with a wake like a cork-screw. Pull starboard, boy, pull 
starboard oar, with a will.” 

Harkee, Mister Pump,” said Kirby, ceasing to row, and 
speaking with some spirit ; I’m a man that likes civil 
language and decent treatment, such as is right ’twixt man 
and man. If you want us to go hoy, say so, and hoy I’ll go, 
for the benefit of the company : but I’m not used to being 
ordered about like dumb cattle.” 

“Who’s dumb cattle ?” echned Benjamin fiercely, turning 
his forbidding face to the glare df light from the canoe, and 
exhibiting every feature teeming with the expression of dis- 
gust. “If you want to come aft and cun the boat round, 
come and be damned, and pretty steerage you’ll make of it. 


280 


THE PIONEERS. 


There’s but another heave of the net in the stern-sheets, and 
we’re clear of the thing. Give way, will ye ? and shoot her 
ahead for a fathom or two, and if you catch me afloat again 
with such a horse-marine as yourself, why rate me a ship’s 
jackass, that’s all.” 

Probably encouraged by the prospect of a speedy termina- 
tion to his labor, the wood-chopper resumed his oar, and, 
under strong excitement, gave a stroke, that not only cleared 
the boat of the net, but of the steward, at the same instant. 
Benjamin had stood on the little platform that held the 
seine, in the stern of the boat, and the violent whirl occa- 
sioned by the vigor of the wood-chopper’s arm completely 
destroyed his balance. The position of the lights rendered 
objects in the batteau distinguishable, both from the canoe 
and the shore; and the heavy fall on the water drew all 
eyes- to the steward, as he lay struggling, for a moment, in 
sight. 

A loud burst of merriment, to which the lungs of Kirby 
contributed no small part, broke out like a chorus of laugh- 
ter, and rang along the eastern mountain, in echoes, until it 
died away in distant, mocking mirth, among the rocks and 
woods. The body of the steward was seen slowly to disap- 
pear, as was expected ; but when the light waves, which had 
been raised by his fall, began to sink in calmness, and the 
water finally closed over his head, unbroken and still, a very 
different feeling pervaded the spectators. 

How fare you, Benjamin?” shouted Eichard from the 
shore. 

The dumb devil can’t swim a stroke ! ” exclaimed Kirby, 
rising, and beginning to throw aside his clothes. 

Paddle up, Mohegan,” cried young Edwards, the light 
will show us where he lies, and I will dive for the body.” 

“ Oh ! save him ! for God’s sake, save him ! ” exclaimed 
Elizabeth, bowing her head on the side of the canoe in 
horror. 

A powerful and dexterous sweep of Mohegan’s paddle sent 
the canoe directly over the spot where the steward had fallen, 
and a loud shout from the Leather-stocking announced that 
he saw the body. 


THE PIONEERS. 


281 


Steady the boat while I dive/’ again cried Edwards. 

Gently, lad, gently,” said Natty; ^^I’ll spear the Greater 
up in half the time, and no risk to anybody.” 

The form of Benjamin was lying, about half-way to the 
bottom, grasping with both hands some broken rushes. The 
blood of Elizabeth curdled to her heart, as she saw the figure 
of a fellow-creature thus extended under an immense sheet 
of water, apparently in motion, by the undulations of the 
dying waves, with its face and hands, viewed by that light, 
and through the medium of the fluid, already colored with 
hues like death. 

At the same instant, she saw the shining tines of Natty’s 
spear approaching the head of the sufferer, and entwining 
themselves, rapidly and dexterously, in the hairs of his 
queue and the cape of his coat. The body was now raised 
slowly, looking ghastly and grim, as its features turned 
upwards to the light, and approached the surface. The 
arrival of the nostrils of Benjamin into their own atmos- 
phere was announced by a breathing that would have done 
credit to a porpoise. Eor a moment. Natty held the steward 
suspended, with his head just above the water, while his 
eyes slowly opened, and stared about him, as if he thought 
that he had reached a new and unexplored country. 

As all the parties acted and spoke together, much less 
time was consumed in the occurrence of these events, than 
in their narration. To bring the batteau to the end of the 
spear, and to raise the form of Benjamin into the boat, and 
for the whole party to gain the shore, required but a minute. 
Kirby, aided by Bichard, whose anxiety induced him to run 
into the water to meet his favorite assistant, carried the 
motionless steward up the bank, and seated him before the 
fire, while the Sheriff proceeded to order the most approved 
measures then in use, for the resuscitation of the drowned. 

''Bun, Billy,” he cried, "to the village, and bring up the 
rum-hogshead that lies before the door, in which I am mak- 
ing vinegar, and be quick, boy, don’t stay to empty the vin- 
egar ; and stop at Mr. Le Quoi’s, and buy a paper of tobacco 
and half a dozen pipes ; and ask Bemarkable for some salt, 
and one of her flannel petticoats ; and ask Dr. Todd to send 


282 


THE PIONEERS. 


his lancet, and to come himself; and — ha! ’duke, what 
are you about ? would you strangle a man who is full of 
water, by giving him rum I Help me to open his hand, that 
I may pat it.” 

All this time Benjamin sat, with his muscles fixed, his 
mouth shut, and his hands clenching the rushes, which he 
had seized in the confusion of the moment, and which, as he 
held fast, like a true seaman, had been the means of pre- 
venting his body from rising again to the surface. His 
eyes, however, were open, and stared wildly on the group 
about the fire, while his lungs were playing like a black- 
smith’s bellows, as if to compensate themselves for the min- 
ute of inaction to which they had been subjected. As he 
kept his lips compressed, with a most inveterate determina- 
tion, the air was compelled to pass through his nostrils, and 
he rather snorted than breathed, and in such a manner, that 
nothing but the excessive agitation of the Sheriff could at 
all justify his precipitous orders. 

The bottle, applied to the steward’s lips by Marmaduke, 
acted like a charm. His mouth opened instinctively ; his 
hands dropped the rushes, and seized the glass; his eyes 
raised from their horizontal stare to the heavens ; and the 
whole man was lost, for a moment, in a new sensation. Un- 
happily for the propensity of the steward, breath was as 
necessary after one of these draughts as after his submer- 
sion, and the time at length arrived when he was compelled 
to let go the bottle. 

Why Benjamin ! ” roared the Sheriff ; you amaze me 1 
for a man of your experience in drownings to act so foolishly 
just now, you were half-full of water, and now you are — ” 

'' Full of grog,” interrupted the steward, his features set- 
tling down, with amazing flexibility, into their natural econ- 
omy. But d’ye see. Squire, I kept my hatches close, and 
it is but little water that ever gets into my scuttle-butt. 
Harkee, Master Kirby ! I’ve followed the salt water for the 
better part of a man’s life, and have seen some navigation 
on the fresh ; but this here matter I will say in your favor, 
and that is, that you’re the awk’ardest green’un that ever 
straddled a boat’s thwart. Them that likes you for a ship- 


* 

.t 


i 


THE PIONEERS. 


283 


mate, may sail with you and no thanks ; but dam’me if I 
even walk on the lake shore in your company. For why ? 
you’d as lief drown a man as one of them there fish ; not to 
throw a Christian creature so much as a rope’s end, when 
he was adrift, and no life-buoy in sight ! — Natty Bumppo, 
give us your fist. There’s them that says you’re an Indian, 
and a scalper, but you’ve served me a good turn, and you 
may set me down for a friend; thof it would have been 
more ship-shape to lower the bight of a rope, or' running 
bow-line, below me, than to seize an old seaman by his head- 
lanyard ; but I suppose you are used to taking men by the 
hair, and seeing you did me good instead of harm thereby, 
why, it’s the same thing, d’ye see.” 

Marmaduke prevented any reply, and assuming the direc- 
tion of matters with a dignity and discretion that at once 
silenced all opposition from his cousin, Benjamin was de- 
spatched to the village by land, and the net was hauled to 
shore in such a manner, that the fish for once escaped its 
meshes with impunity. 

The division of the spoils was made in the ordinary man- 
ner by placing one of the party with his back to the game, 
who named the owner of each pile. Billy Kirby stretched 
his large frame on the grass by the side of the fire, as senti- 
nel until morning, over net and fish ; and the remainder of 
the party embarked in the batteau, to return to the village. 

The wood-chopper was seen broiling his supper on the 
coals as they lost sight of the fire ; and when the boat ap- 
proached the shore, the torch of Mohegan’s canoe was shin- 
ing again under the gloom of the eastern mountain. Its 
motion ceased suddenly ; a scattering of brands was in the 
air, and then all remained dark as the conjunction of night, 
forest, and mountain could render the scene. 

The thoughts of Elizabeth wandered from the youth, who 
was holding a canopy of shawls over herself and Louisa, to 
the hunter and the Indian warrior ; and she felt an awak- 
ening curiosity to visit a hut, where men of such different 
habits and temperament were drawn together as by common 
impulse. 


CHAPTEE XXV. 


Cease all this parlance about hills and dales; 

None listen to thy scenes of boyish frolic, 

Fond dotard ! with such tickled ears as thou dost ; 

Come ! to thy tale. 

Duo. 

Mr. Jones arose on the following morning with the sun, / 
and ordering his own and Marmaduke’s steeds to be saddled, | 
he proceeded, with a countenance big with some business of x 
unusual moment, to the apartment of the Judge. The door | 
was unfastened, and Eichard entered, with the freedom that 
characterized not only the intercourse between the cousins, ^ 
but the ordinary manners of the Sheriff. 

“Well, ’duke, to horse,” he cried, “and I will explain to 
you my meaning in the allusions I made last night. David 
says, in the Psalms — no, it was Solomon, but it was all in 
the family — Solomon said there was a time for all things ; 
and in my humble opinion, a fishing party is not the moment 
for discussing important subjects. Ha ! why, what the devil 
ails you, Marmaduke ? an’t you well ? let me feel your pulse : 
my grandfather, you know — ” 

“ Quite well in the body, Eichard,” interrupted the Judge, 
repulsing his cousin, who was about to assume the functions 
that properly belonged to Dr. Todd ; “ but ill at heart. I 
received letters by the post of last night, after we returned 
from the point, and this among the number.” 

The Sheriff took the letter, but without turning his eyes 
on the writing, for he was examining the appearance of the 
other with astonishment. From the face of his cousin the 
gaze of Eichard wandered to the table, which was covered 
with letters, packets, and newspapers; then to the apart- 
ment and all that it contained. On the bed there was the 

284 


THE PIONEERS. 


285 


impression that had been made by a human form, but the 
coverings were unmoved, and everything indicated that 
the occupant of the room had passed a sleepless night. 
The candles had burned to the sockets, and had evidently 
extinguished themselves in their own fragments. Marma- 
duke had drawn his curtains, and opened both the shutters 
and the sashes, to admit the balmy air of a spring morning ; 
but his pale cheek, his quivering lip, and his sunken eye 
presented altogether so very different an appearance from 
the usual calm, manly, and cheerful aspect of the Judge, 
that the Sheriff grew each moment more and more bewil- 
dered with astonishment. At length Richard found time to 
cast his eyes on the direction of the letter, which he still 
held unopened, crumbling it in his hand. 

What ! a ship-letter ! ’’ he exclaimed ; and from Eng- 
land ! ha ! ’duke, there must be news of importance indeed ! ” 

Read it,” said Marmaduke, pacing the floor in excessive 
agitation. 

Richard, who commonly thought aloud, was unable to read 
a letter without suffering part of its contents to escape him 
in audible sounds. So much of the epistle as was divulged 
in that manner, we shall lay before the reader, accompanied 
by the passing remarks of the Sheriff : 

London, February 12, 1793.’ What a devil of a pas- 
sage she had! but the wind has been northwest for six 
weeks, until within the last fortnight. 

‘ Sir, your favors of August 10th, September 23d, and of 
December 1st, w.ere received in due season, and the flrst 
answered by return of packet. Since the receipt of the last, 
I ’ ” — here a long passage was rendered indistinct, by a kind 
of humming noise made by the Sheriff. ^ I grieve to say, 
that ’ — hum, hum, bad enough to be sure — ^ but trust that 
a merciful Providence has seen fit ’ — hum, hum, hum ; 
seems to be a good pious sort of a man, ’duke ; belongs to 
the established church, I dare say; hum, hum — ^vessel 
sailed from Falmouth on or about the 1st September of last 
year, and’ — hum, hum, hum. ^If anything should tran- 
spire on this afflicting subject shall not fail’ — hum, hum; 
really a good-hearted man, for a lawyer, — ^but can com- 


286 


THE PIONEERS. 


iiiimicate nothing further at present ’ — hum, hum. ^ The 
national convention — hum, hum — ^ unfortunate Louis ’ — 
hum, hum — ^example of your Washington’ — a very sen- 
sible man, I declare, and none of your crazy democrats. 
Hum, hum, — ^ our gallant navy ’ — hum, hum — ^ under our 
most excellent monarch’ — ay, a good man enough, that 
King George, but bad advisers; hum, hum — beg to con- 
clude with assurances of my perfect respect’ — hum, hum — 

^ Andrew Holt.’ — Andrew Holt — a very sensible, feeling 
man, this Mr. Andrew Holt — but the writer of evil tidings. 
What will you do next, cousin Marmaduke ? ” 

“ What can I do, Kichard, but trust to time, and the will 
of Heaven ? Here is another letter from Connecticut, but 
it only repeats the substance of the last. There is but one 
consoling reflection to be gathered from the English news, 
which is, that my last letter was received by him before the 
ship sailed.” 

^‘This is bad enough, indeed! ’duke, bad enough, indeed! 
and away go all my plans of putting wings to the house, to 
the devil. I had made arrangements for a ride to intro- 
duce you to something of a very important nature. You 
know how much you think of mines — ” 

^^Talk not of mines,” interrupted the Judge; there is a 
sacred duty to be performed, and that without delay. I . 
must devote this day to writing, and thou must be my assist- 
ant, Kichard ; it will not do to employ Oliver in a matter ■ 
of such secresy and interest.” 

^‘Ko, no, ’duke,” cried the Sheriff, squeezing his hand; 

I am your man, just now : we are sisters’ children, and 
blood, after all, is the best cement to make friendship stick , 
together. Well, well, there is no hurry about the silver 
mine, just now; another time will do as well. We shall 
want Dirky Van, I suppose ? ” 

Marmaduke assented to this indirect question, and the 
Sheriff relinquished all his intentions on the subject of the \ 
ride; and repairing to the breakfast parlor, he despatched ^ 
a messenger to require the immediate presence of Dirck Van ' 
der School. 

The village of Templeton at that time supported but two 


THE PIONEERS. 


287 


lawyers, one of whom was introduced to our readers in the 
bar-room of the Bold Dragoon,” and the other was the gen- 
tleman of whom Kichard spoke by the friendly yet familiar 
appellation of Dirck, or Dirky Van. Great good nature, a 
very tolerable share of skill in his profession, and consider- 
ing the circumstances, no contemptible degree of honesty, 
were the principal ingredients in the character of this man, 
who was known to the settlers as Squire Van der School, 
and sometimes by the flattering, though anomalous title of 
the Dutch” or honest lawyer.” We would not wish to 
mislead our readers in their conceptions of any of our char- 
acters, and we therefore feel it necessary to add, that the 
adjective, in the preceding agnomen of Mr. Van der School, 
was used in direct reference to its substantive. Our ortho- 
dox friends need not be told, that all merit in this world is 
comparative ; and once for all, we desire to say, that where 
anything which involves qualities or character is asserted, 
we must be understood to mean, under the circumstances.” 

During the remainder of the day, the Judge was closeted 
with his cousin and his lawyer; and no one else was ad- 
mitted to his apartment, excepting his daughter. The deep 
distress, that so evidently affected Marmaduke, was in some 
measure communicated to Elizabeth also : for a look of de- 
jection shaded her intelligent features, and the buoyancy of 
her animated spirits was sensibly softened. Once on that 
day, young Edwards, who was a wondering and observant 
spectator of the sudden alteration produced in the heads of 
the family, detected a tear stealing over the cheek of Eliza- 
beth, and suffusing her bright eyes with a softness that did 
not always belong to their expression. 

Have any evil tidings been received. Miss Temple ? ” 
he inquired, with an interest and voice that caused Louisa 
Grant to raise her head from her needlework, with a quick- 
ness at which she instantly blushed herself. “ I would offer 
my services to your father, if, as I suspect, he needs an 
agent in some distant place, and I thought it would give 
you relief.” 

^‘^Ye have certainly heard bad news,’’ returned Elizabeth, 
and it may be necessary that my father should leave home 


288 


THE PIONEERS. 


for a short period ; unless I can persuade him to trust iny 
cousin E/ichard with the business, whose absence from the 
country, just at this time, too, might be inexpedient.’^ 

The youth paused a moment, and the blood gathered 
slowly to his temples, as he continued — 

“ If it be of a nature that I could execute — ” 

^^It is such as can only be confided to one we know — one 
of ourselves.” 

Surely, you know me. Miss Temple ! ” he added, with a 
warmth that he seldom exhibited, but which did sometimes 
escape him, in the moments of their frank communications. 
Have I lived five months under your roof to be a stranger ? ” 
Elizabeth Avas engaged with her needle also, and she bent 
her head to one side, affecting to arrange her muslin ; but 
her hand shook, her color heightened, and her eyes lost their 
moisture in an expression of ungovernable interest, as she 
said — 

How much do we know of you, Mr. Edwards ? ” 

How much ! ” echoed the youth, gazing from the speaker 
to the mild countenance of Louisa, that was also illuminated 
with curiosity ; how much ! have I been so long an inmate 
with you and not known ? ” 

The head of Elizabeth turned slowly from its affected 
position, and the look of confusion that had blended so 
strongly with an expression of interest changed to a smile. 

^^We know you, sir, indeed: you are called Mr. Oliver 
Edwards. I understand that you have informed my friend. 
Miss Grant, that you are a native — ” 

Elizabeth ! ” exclaimed Louisa, blushing to the eyes, 
and trembling like an aspen ; you misunderstood me, 
dear Miss Temple ; I — I — it was only conjecture. Besides, 
if Mr. Edwards is related to the natives, Avhy should Ave 
reproach him ? In what are we better ? at least I, who am ^ 
the child of a poor' and unsettled clergyman ? ” 

Elizabeth shook her head doubtingly, and even laughed, ' 
but made no reply ; until, observing the melancholy which . 
pervaded the countenance of her companion, who Avas think- 
ing of the poverty and labors of her father, she continued — 
Hay, Louisa, humility carries you too far. The daughter ' 


THE PIONEERS. 


289 


of a minister of the church can have no superiors. Neither 
I nor Mr. Edwards is quite your equal, unless,’’ she added, 
again smiling, he is in secret a king.” 

A faithful servant of the King of kings. Miss Temple, 
is inferior to none on earth,” said Louisa ; but his honors 
are his own ; I am only the child of a poor and friendless 
man, and can claim no other distinction. Why, then, should 
I feel myself elevated above Mr. Edwards, because — because 

— perhaps he is only very, very distantly related to John 
Mohegan ? ” 

Grlances of a very comprehensive meaning were exchanged 
between the heiress and the young man, as Louisa betrayed, 
while vindicating his lineage, the reluctance with which 
she admitted his alliance with the old warrior ; but not even 
a smile at the simplicity of their companion was indulged 
by either. 

“ On reflection, I must acknowledge that my situation 
here is somewhat equivocal,” said Edwards, though I may 
be said to have purchased it with my blood.” 

‘‘ The blood, too, of one of the native lords of the soil ! ” 
cried Elizabeth, who evidently put little faith in his aborig- 
inal descent. 

Do I bear the marks of my lineage so very plainly im- 
pressed on my appearance ? I am dark, but not very red 

— not more so than common ? ” 

Kather more so, just now.” 

am sure. Miss Temple,” cried Louisa, ^^you cannot 
have taken much notice of Mr. Edwards. His eyes are not 
so black as Mohegan’ s, or even your own, nor is his hair ! ” 

Very possibly, then, I can lay claim to the same descent. 
It would be a great relief to my mind to think so, for I own 
that I grieve when I see old Mohegan walking about these 
lands, like the ghost of one of their ancient possessors, and 
feel how small is my own right to possess them.” 

“Do you?” cried the youth, with a vehemence that 
startled the ladies. 

“ I do, indeed,” returned Elizabeth, after suffering a mo- 
ment to pass in surprise ; “ but what can I do ? what can 
my father do ? Should we offer the old man a home and 
n 


290 


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a maintenance, his habits would compel him to refuse us. 
Neither, were we so silly as to wish such a thing, could we 
convert these clearings and farms again into hunting- 
grounds, as the Leather-stocking would wish to see them.’’ 

^^You speak the truth. Miss Temple,” said Edwards. 

What can you do, indeed ? But there is one thing that I 
am certain you can and will do, when you become the mis- 
tress of these beautiful valleys — use your wealth with in- 
dulgence to the poor and charity to the needy; indeed, 
you can do no more.” 

And that will be doing a good deal,” said Louisa, smil- 
ing in her turn. But there will, doubtless, be one to take 
the direction of such things from her hands.” 

I am not about to disclaim matrimony, like a silly girl, 
who dreams of nothing else from morning till night ; but I 
am a nun here, without the vow of celibacy. Where shall 
I find a husband in these forests ? ” 

‘‘There is none. Miss Temple,” said Edwards, quickly; 
“ there is none who has a right to aspire to you, and I know 
that you will wait to be sought by your equal ; or die, as 
you live, loved, respected, and admired by all who know 
you.” 

The young man seemed to think that he had said all 
that was required by gallantry, for he arose, and taking his 
hat, hurried from the apartment. Perhaps Louisa thought 
that he had said more than was necessary, for she sighed, 
with an aspiration so low that it was scarcely audible to 
herself, and bent her head over her work again. And it is 
possible that Miss Temple wished to hear more, for her eyes 
continued fixed for a minute on the door through which the 
young man had passed, then glanced quickly towards her 
companion, when the long silence that succeeded, manifested 
how much zest may be given to the conversation of two 
maidens under eighteen, by the presence of a youth of 
three-and-t wenty . 

The first person encountered by Mr. Edwards, as he rather 
rushed than walked from the house, was the little square- 
built lawyer, with a large bundle of papers under his arm, 
a pair of green spectacles on his nose, with glasses at the 


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291 


sides, as if to multiply his power of detecting frauds, by 
additional organs of vision. 

Mr. Van der School was a well-educated man, but of slow 
comprehension, who had imbibed a wariness in his speeches 
and actions, from having suffered by his collisions with his 
more mercurial and apt brethren who had laid the founda- 
tions of their practice in the eastern courts, and who had 
sucked in shrewdness with their mothers’ milk. The caution 
of this gentleman was exhibited in his actions, by the utmost 
method and punctuality, tinctured with a good deal of timid- 
ity ; and in his speeches, by a parenthetical style, that fre- 
quently left to his auditors a long search after his meaning. 

good morning to you, Mr. Van der School,” said 
Edwards ; “ it seems to be a busy day with us at the man- 
sion-house.” 

Good morning, Mr. Edwards (if that is your name (for, 
being a stranger, we have no other evidence of the fact than 
your own testimony), as I understand you have given it to 
Judge Temple), good morning, sir. It is, apparently, a busy 
day (but a man of your discretion need not be told (having, 
doubtless, discovered it of your own accord), that appear- 
ances are often deceitful) up at the mansion-house.” 

Have you papers of consequence that will require copy- 
ing ? can I be of assistance in any way ? ” 

“ There are papers (as doubtless you see (for your eyes 
are young) by the outsides) that require copying.” 

^‘Well, then, I will accompany you to your office, and 
receive such as are most needed, and by night I shall have 
them done if there be much haste.” 

I shall be always glad to see you, sir, at my office (as in 
duty bound (not that it is obligatory to receive any man 
within your- dwelling (unless so inclined), which is a castle), 
according to the forms of politeness), or at any other place ; 
but the papers are most strictly confidential (and as such, 
cannot be read by any one), unless so directed (by Judge 
Temple’s solemn injunctions), and are invisible to all eyes ; 
excepting those whose duties (I mean assumed duties) re- 
quire it of them.” 

Well, sir, as I perceive that I can be of no service, I wish 


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you another good morning ; but beg you will remember that 
I am quite idle just now, and I wish you would intimate as 
much to Judge Temple, and make him a tender of my ser- 
vices in any part of the world, unless — unless — it be far 
from Templeton.” 

I will make the communication, sir, in your name (with 
your own qualifications), as your agent. Good morning, sir. 
— But stay proceedings, Mr. Edwards (so called), for a mo- 
ment. Do you wish me to state the offer of travelling as a 
final contract (for which consideration has been received at 
former dates (by sums advanced), which would be binding), 
or as a tender of services for which compensa.tion is to be 
paid (according to future agreement between the parties), on 
performance of the conditions ? ” 

Any way, any way,” said Edwards : he seems in dis- 
tress, and I would assist him.” 

The motive is good, sir (according to appearances (which 
are often deceitful) on first impressions), and does you honor. 
I will mention your wish, young gentleman (as you now seem), 
and will not fail to communicate the answer by five o’clock 
p.M. of this present day (God willing), if you give me an 
opportunity so to do.” 

The ambiguous nature of the situation and character of 
Mr. Edwards had rendered him an object of peculiar sus- 
picion to the lawyer, and the youth was consequently too 
much accustomed to similar equivocal and guarded speeches 
to feel any unusual disgust at the present dialogue. He saw 
at once that it was the intention of the practitioner to con- 
ceal the nature of his business, even from the private secre- 
tary of Judge Temple ; and he knew too well the difficulty 
of comprehending the meaning of Mr. Van der School when 
the gentleman most wished to be luminous in his discourse, 
not to abandon all thoughts of a discovery when he per- 
ceived that the attorney was endeavoring to avoid anything 
like an approach to a cross-examination. They parted at 
the gate, the lawyer walking, with an important and hurried 
air, towards his office, keeping his right hand firmly clenched 
on the bundle of papers. 

It must have been obvious to all our readers, that the 


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293 


youth entertained an unusual and deeply seated prejudice 
against the character of the Judge; but, owing to some 
counteracting cause, his sensations were now those of power- 
ful interest in the state of his patron’s present feelings, and 
in the cause of his secret uneasiness. 

He remained gazing after the lawyer, until the door closed 
on both the bearer and the mysterious packet, when he re- 
turned. slowly to the dwelling, and endeavored to forget his 
curiosity in the usual avocations of his office. 

When the Judge made his re-appearance in the circles of 
his family, his cheerfulness was tempered by a shade of 
melancholy that lingered for many days around his manly 
brow; but the magical progression of the season aroused 
him from his temporary apathy, and his smiles returned 
with the summer. 

The heats of the days, and the frequent occurrence of 
balmy showers, had completed, in an incredibly short period, 
the growth of plants, which the lingering spring had so long 
retarded in the germ ; and the woods presented every shade 
of green that the American forests know. The stumps in 
the cleared fields were already hidden beneath the wheat 
that was waving with every breath of the summer air, shin- 
ing, and changing its hues like velvet. 

During the continuance of his cousin’s dejection, Mr. 
Jones forbore, with much consideration, to press on his 
attention a business that each hour was drawing nearer to 
the heart of the Sheriff, and which, if any opinion could be 
formed by his frequent private conferences with the man 
who was introduced in these pages by the name of Jotham, 
at the bar-room of the “ Bold Dragoon,” was becoming also 
of great importance. 

At length the Sheriff ventured to allude again to the sub- 
ject; and one evening, in the beginning of July, Marma- 
duke made him a promise of devoting the following day to 
the desired excursion. 


CHAPTEE XXVI. 


Speak on, my dearest father! 

Thy words are like the breezes of the west. 

Milman. 

It was a mild and soft morning, when Marmaduke and 
Eichard mounted their horses to proceed' on the expedition 
that had so long been uppermost in the thoughts of the lat- 
ter : and Elizabeth and Louisa appeared at the same instant 
in the hall, attired for an excursion on foot. 

The head of Miss Grant was covered by a neat little hat 
of green silk, and her modest eyes peered from under its 
shade, with the soft languor that characterized her whole 
appearance; but Miss Temple trod her father’s wide apart- 
ments with the step of their mistress, holding in her hand, 
dangling by one of its ribands, the gipsy that was to conceal 
the glossy locks that curled around her polished forehead in 
rich profusion. 

“What! are you for a walk, Bess?” cried the Judge, 
suspending his movements for a moment, to smile, with 
a father’s fondness, at the display of womanly grace and 
beauty that his child presented. “Eemember the heats 
of July, my daughter; nor venture further than thou canst 
retrace before the meridian. Where is thy parasol, girl? 
Thou wilt lose the polish of that brow, under this sun and 
southern breeze, unless thou guard it with unusual care.” 

“I shall then do more honor to my connexions,” returned 
the smiling daughter. “Cousin Eichard has a bloom that 
any lady might envy. At present the resemblance between 
us is so trifling, that no stranger would know us to be ‘sis- 
ters’ children.’ ” 

“ Grandchildren, you mean, cousin Bess,” said the Sheriff. 
“But on. Judge Temple; time and tide wait for no man; 

294 


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295 


and if you take my council, sir, in twelve months from this 
day you may make an umbrella for your daughter of her 
camePs-hair shawl, and have its frame of solid silver. I 
ask nothing for myself, Muke; you have been a good friend 
to me already; besides, all that I have will go to Bess there, 
one of these melancholy days, so it’s as long as it’s short, 
whether I or you leave it. But we have a day’s ride before 
us, sir; so move forward, or dismount, and say you won’t 
go at once.” 

‘‘Patience, patience, Dickon,” returned the Judge, check- 
ing his horse, and turning again to his daughter. “ If thou 
art for the mountains, love, stray not too deep into the for- 
est, I entreat thee; for, though it is done often with impu- 
nity, there is sometimes danger.” 

“Not at this season, I believe, sir,” said Elizabeth; “for, 
I will confess, it is the intention of Louisa and myself to 
stroll among the hills.” 

“Less at this season than in the winter, dear; but still 
there may be danger in venturing too far. But though thou 
art resolute, Elizabeth, thou art too much like thy mother 
not to be prudent.” 

The eyes of the parent turned reluctantly from his child, 
and the Judge and Sheriff rode slowly through the gateway, 
and disappeared among the buildings of the village. 

During this short dialogue, young Edwards stood, an 
attentive listener, holding in his hand a fishing-rod, the 
day and the season having tempted him also to desert 
the house, for the pleasure of exercise in the air. As the 
equestrians turned through the gate, he approached the 
young females, who were already moving towards the street, 
and was about to address them, as Louisa paused and said 
quickly — 

“Mr. Edwards would speak to us, Elizabeth.” 

The other stopped also, and turned to the youth, politely, 
but with a slight coldness in her air, that sensibly checked 
the freedom with which he had approached them. 

“Your father is not pleased that you should walk unat- 
tended in the hills. Miss Temple. If I might offer myself 
as a protector — ” 


296 


THE PIONEERS. 


“ Does my father select Mr. Oliver Edwards as the organ 
of his displeasure?’^ interrupted the lady. 

“Good heaven! you misunderstood my meaning: I 
should have said uneasy for not pleased. I am his ser- 
vant, madam, and in consequence yours. I repeat that, 
with your consent, I will change my rod for a fowling- 
piece, and keep nigh you on the mountain.” 

“ I thank you, Mr. Edwards ; but where there is no dan- 
ger, no protection is required. We are not yet reduced to 
wandering among these free hills accompanied by a body- 
guard. If such a one is necessary, there he is, however. 

— Here, Brave, — Brave, — my noble Brave! ” 

The huge mastiff, that has been already mentioned, 
appeared from his kennel, gaping and stretching himself, 
with pampered laziness; but as his mistress again called 

— “ Come, dear Brave ; once have you served your master 
well ; let us see how you can do your duty by his daughter ” 

— the dog wagged his tail, as if he understood her language, 
walked with a stately gait to her side, where he seatedhimself, 
and looked up at her face, with an intelligence but little in- 
ferior to that which beamed in her own lovely countenance. 

She resumed her walk, but again paused, after a few 
steps, and added, in tones of conciliation — 

“You can be serving us equally, and, I presume, more 
agreeably to yourself, Mr. Edwards, by bringing us a 
string of your favorite perch, for the dinner-table.” 

When they again began to walk Miss Temple did not look 
back to see how the youth bore this repulse ; but the head 
of Louisa was turned several times before they reached 
the gate on that considerate errand. 

“I am afraid, Elizabeth,” she said, “that we have morti- 
fied Oliver. He is still standing where we left him leaning 
on his rod. Perhaps he thinks us proud.” 

“He thinks justly,” exclaimed Miss Temple, as if awak- 
ing from a deep musing; “he thinks justly, then. We 
are too proud to admit of such particular attentions from 
a young man in an equivocal situation. What ! make him 
the companion of our most private walks! It is pride, 
Louisa, but it is the pride of a woman.” 


THE PIONEERS. 


297 


It was several minutes before Oliver aroused himself 
from the abstracted position in which he was standing 
when Louisa last saw him ; but when he did, he muttered 
something rapidly and incoherently, and throwing his rod 
over his shoulder, he strode down the walk, through the 
gate, and along one of the streets of the village, until he 
reached the lake-shore, with the air of an emperor. At 
this spot boats were kept for the use of Judge Temple and 
his family. The young man threw himself into a light 
skiff, and seizing the oars, he sent it across the lake towards 
the hut of Leather-stocking, with a pair of vigorous arms. 
By the time he had rowed a quarter of a mile, his reflections 
were less bitter : and when he saw the bushes that lined the 
shore in front of Natty ^s habitation gliding by him, as if 
I: they possessed the motion which proceeded from his own 
efforts, he was quite cooled in mind, though somewhat 
heated in body. It is quite possible, that the very same 
reason which guided the conduct of Miss Temple, sug- 
^ gested itself to a man of the breeding and education of 
! the youth; and it is very certain, that if such were the 
!j case, Elizabeth rose instead of falling in the estimation 
I of Mr. Edwards. 

i The oars were now raised from the water, and the boat 
shot close in to the land, where it lay gently agitated by 
waves of its own creating; while the young man, first 
casting a cautious and searching glance around him in 
every direction, put a small whistle to his mouth, and 
blew a long, shrill note, that rang among the echoing 
rocks behind the hut. At this alarm, the hounds of 
Natty rushed out of their bark kennel, and commenced 
their long piteous howls, leaping about as if half frantic, 
though restrained by the leashes of buckskin by which 
they were fastened. 

Quiet, Hector, quiet,’’ said Oliver, again applying his 
whistle to his mouth, and drawing out notes still more 
shrill than before. No reply was made, the dogs having 
returned to their kennel at the sounds of his voice. 

Edwards pulled the bows of the boat on the shore, and 
landing, ascended the beach and approached the door of the 


298 


THE PIONEERS. 


cabin. The fastenings were soon undone, and he entered, ^ 
closing the door after him, when all was as silent, in that | 
retired spot, as if the foot of man had never trod the wil- 
derness. The sounds of the hammers, that were in incessant 
motion in the village, were faintly heard across the water; 
but the dogs had crouched into their lairs, satisfied that 
none but the privileged had approached the forbidden 
ground. 

A quarter of an hour elapsed before the youth re-appeared, 
when he fastened the door again, and spoke kindly to the 
hounds. The dogs came out at the well-known tones, and j 
the slut jumped upon his person, whining and barking, as i 
if entreating Oliver to release her from prison. But old! 
Hector raised his nose to the light current of air, and* 
opened a long howl, that might have been heard for a mile. 

“Ha! what do you scent, old veteran of the woods?’’ 
cried Edwards. “If a beast, it is a bold one; and if a 
man, an impudent.” 

He sprang through the top of a pine that had fallen near 
the side of the hut, and ascended a small hillock that shel- 
tered the cabin to the south, where he caught a glimpse of 
the formal figure of Hiram Doolittle, as it vanished with 
unusual rapidity for the architect, amid the bushes. 

“What can that fellow be wanting here?” muttered 
Oliver. “He has no business in this quarter, unless it 
be curiosity, which is an endemic in these woods. But . 
against that I will effectually guard, though the dogs 
should take a liking to his ugly visage, and let him . 
pass.” The youth returned to the door, while giving ' 
vent to this soliloquy, and completed the fastenings, by ; 
placing a small chain through a staple, and securing it 
there by a padlock. “He is a pettifogger, and surely must . 
know that there is such a thing as feloniously breaking ' 
into a man’s house.” j. 

Apparently well satisfied with this arrangement, the 
youth again spoke to the hounds; and descending to the [ 
shore he launched his boat, and taking up his oars pulled ^ 
off into the lake. 

There were several places in the Otsego that were cele- 


THE PIONEERS. 


299 


brated fishing-ground for perch. One was nearly opposite 
to the cabin, and another, still more famous, was near a 
point, at the distance of a mile and a half above it, under 
the brow of the mountain, and on the same side of the lake 
with the hut. Oliver Edwards pulled his little skiff to the 
first, and sat, for a minute, undecided whether to continue 
there, with his eyes on the door of the cabin, or to change 
his ground, with a view to get superior game. While gaz- 
ing about him, he saw the light-colored bark canoe of his 
old companions, riding on the water, at the point we have 
mentioned, and containing two figures, that he at once knew 
to be Mohegan and the Leather-stocking. This decided the 
matter, and the youth pulled, in a very few minutes, to the 
place where his friends were fishing, and fastened his boat 
to the light vessel of the Indian. 

The old men received Oliver with welcoming nods, but 
neither drew his line from the water, nor in the least va- 
ried his occupation. When Edwards had secured his own 
boat, he baited his hook and threw it into the lake, without 
speaking. 

^‘Did you stop at the wigwam, lad, as you rowed past?” 
asked Natty. 

^Wes, and I found all safe; but that carpenter and jus- 
tice of the peace, Mr., or, as they call him. Squire, Doo- 
little, was prowling through the woods. I made sure of 
the door before I left the hut, and I think he is too great a 
coward to approach the hounds.” 

There’s little to be said in favor of that man,” said 
Natty, while he drew in a perch and baited his hook. “He 
craves dreadfully to come into the cabin, and has as good as 
asked me as much to my face ; but I put him off with unsar- 
tain answers so that he is no wiser than Solomon. This 
comes of having so many laws that such a man may be called 
on to intar pret them.” 

“I fear he is more knave than fool,” cried Edwards; “he 
makes a tool of that simple man, the Sheriff ; and 1 dread 
that his impertinent curiosity may yet give us much trouble.” 

“ If he harbors too much about the cabin, lad. I’ll shoot 
the creater,” said the Leather-stocking, quite simply. 


800 


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‘‘No, no, Natty, you must remember the law,’’ said 
Edwards, “ or we shall have you in trouble ; and that, old 
man, would be an evil day, and sore tidings to us all.” 

“Would it, boy!” exclaimed the hunter, raising his eyes 
with a look of friendly interest, towards the youth. “You 
have the true blood in your veins, Mr. Oliver; and I’ll 
support it to the face of Judge Temple, or in any court 
in the country. How is it, John? Do I speak the true 
word? Is the lad staunch, and of the right blood?” 

“He is a Delaware,” said Mohegan, “and my brother. 
The Young Eagle is brave, and he will be a chief. No 
harm can come.” 

“Well, well,” cried the youth, impatiently, “say no more 
about it, my good friends ; if I am not all that your par- 
tiality would make me, I am yours through life, in pros- 
perity as in poverty. We will talk of other matters.” 

The old hunters yielded to his wish, which seemed to be 
their law. Eor a short time a profound silence prevailed, 
during which each man was very busy with his hook and 
line; but Edwards, probably feeling that it remained with 
him to renew the discourse, soon observed, with the air of 
one who knew not what he said — 

“ How beautifully tranquil and glassy the lake is ! Saw 
you it ever more calm and even than at this moment. 
Natty?” 

“I have known the Otsego water for five and forty 
years,” said Leather-stocking; “and I will say that for it, 
which is, that a cleaner spring or better fishing is not to be 
found in the land. Yes, yes; I had the place to myself 
once, and a cheerful time I had of it. The game was plenty 
as heart could wish, and there was none to meddle with 
the ground, unless there might have been a hunting-party 
of the Delawares crossing the hills, or, maybe, a rifling 
scout of them thieves, the Iroquois. There was one or 
two Frenchmen that squatted in the flats, further west, and 
married squaws ; and some of the Scotch-Irishers, from the 
Cherry Valley, would come on to the lake, and borrow my 
canoe to take a mess of parch, or drop a line for salmon- 
trout ; but, in the main, it was a cheerful place, and I had 


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301 


but little to disturb me in it. John would come, and John 
knows.” 

Mohegan turned his dark face at this appeal; and, mov- 
ing his hand forward with a graceful motion of assent, he 
spoke, using the Delaware language — 
i “The land was owned by my people; we gave it to my 
brother, in council — to the Fire-eater; and what the Dela- 
I wares give lasts as long as the waters run. Hawk-eye 
) smoked at that council, for we loved him.” 
j “No, no, John,” said Natty; “I was no chief, seeing 
i that I know’d nothing of scholarship, and had a Avhite 
skin. But it was a comfortable hunting-ground then, lad, 

! and would have been so to this day, but for the money of 
Marmaduke Temple, and the twisty ways of the law.” 

“It must have been a sight of melancholy pleasure 
indeed,” said Edwards, while his eye roved along the 
shores and over the hills, where the clearings, grdaning 
with the golden corn, were cheering the forests with the 
signs of life, “to have roamed over these mountains, and 
along this sheet of beautiful water, without a living soul to 
speak to, or to thwart your humor.” 

“ Haven’t I said it was cheerful? ” said Leather-stocking. 

' “ Yes, yes ; when the trees began to be covered with leaves, 
and the ice was out of the lake, it was a second paradise. 
I have travelled the woods for fifty-three years, and have 
made them my home for more than forty; and I can say 
that I have met but one place that was more to my liking; 
and that was only to eyesight, and not for hunting or 
fishing.” 

“And where was that?” asked Edwards. 

“Where! why up on the Kaatskills. I used often to go 
up into the mountains after wolves’ skins and bears; once 
they paid me to get them a stuffed painter, and so I often 
went. There’s a place in them hills that I used to climb to 
when I wanted to see the carryings on of the world, that 
would well pay any man for a barked shin or a torn moc- 
casin. You know the Kaatskills, lad; for you must have 
seen them on your left, as you followed the river up from 
York, looking as blue as a piece of clear sky, and holding 


302 


THE PIONEERS. 


the clouds on their tops, as the smoke curls over the head 
of an Indian chief at the council-fire. Well, there’s the 
High-peak and the Kound-top, which lay back like a father 
and mother among their children, seeing they are far above 
all the other hills. But the place I mean is next to the 
river, where one of the ridges juts out a little from the 
rest, and where the rocks fall, for the best part of a thou- 
sand feet, so much up and down, that a man standing on 
their edges is fool enough to think he can jump from top to 
bottom.” 

^^What see you when you get there?” asked Edwards. 

‘‘Creation,” said Natty, dropping the end of his rod into 
the water, and sweeping one hand around him in a circle : 

“ all creation, lad. I was on that hill when Vaughan burned 
’Sopus in the last war; and I saw the vessels come out of 
the Highlands as plain as I can see that lime-scow rowing 
into the Susquehanna, though one was twenty times further 
from me than the other. The river was in sight for seventy 
miles, looking like a curled- shaving under my feet, though 
it was eight long miles to its banks. I saw the hills in the 
Hampshire grants, the highlands of the river, and all that 
God had done, or man could do, far as eye could reach — 
you know that the Indians named me for my sight, lad; 
and from the flat on the top of that mountain, I have often 
found the place where Albany stands. And as for ’Sopus, 
the day the royal troops burnt the town, the smoke seemed 
so nigh, that I thought I could hear the screeches of the 
women.” 

“ It must have been worth the toil to meet with such a 
glorious view.” 

“ If being the best part of a mile in the air, and having 
men’s farms and housen at your feet, with rivers looking 
like ribands, and mountains bigger than the ‘Vision,’ seem- 
ing to be haystacks of green grass under you, gives any sat- 
isfaction to a man, I can recommend the spot. When I 
first came into the woods to live, I used to have weak spells I 
when I felt lonesome ; and then I would go into the Kaats- ^ 
kills, and spend a few days on that hill to look at the ways : 
of man; but it’s now many a year since I felt any such long- \ 


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303 


ings, and I am getting too old for rugged rocks. But there^s 
a place, a short two miles back of that very hill, that in 
late times I relished better than the mountain; for it was 
more covered with the trees, and nateral.” 

‘‘And where was that?’^ inquired Edwards, whose curi- 
osity was strongly excited by the simple description of the 
hunter. 

“ Why, there’s a fall in the hills where the water of two 
little ponds, that lie near each other, breaks out of their 
bounds and runs over the rocks into the valley. The stream 
is, maybe, such a one as would turn a mill, if so useless a 
thing was wanted in the wilderness. But the hand that 
made that ‘ Leap ’ never made a mill. There the water 
comes crooking and winding among the rocks; first so 
slow that a trout could swim in it, and then starting and 
running like a creater that wanted to make a far spring, till 
it gets to where the mountain divides, like the cleft hoof of 
a deer, leaving a deep hollow for the brook to tumble into. 
The first pitch is nigh two hundred feet, and the water 
looks like flakes of driven snow afore it touches the bottom ; 
and there the stream gathers itself together again for a new 
start, and maybe flutters over fifty feet of flat rock before 
it falls for another hundred, when it jumps about from shelf 
to shelf, first turning thisaway and then turning thataway, 
striving to get out of the hollow, till it finally comes to the 
plain.” 

“ I have never heard of this spot before ; it is not men- 
tioned in the books.” 

“I never read a book in my life,” said Leather-stocking; 
“ and how should a man who has lived in towns and schools 
know anything about the wonders of the woods? No, no, 
lad; there has that little stream of water been playing 
among the hills since He made the world, and not a dozen 
white men have ever laid eyes on it. The rock sweeps like 
mason-work, in a half-round, on both sides of the fall, and 
shelves over the bottom for fifty feet; so that when I’ve 
been sitting at the foot of the first pitch, and my hounds 
have run into the caverns behind the sheet of water, they’ve 
looked no bigger than so many rabbits. To my judgment, 


304 


THE PIONEERS. 


lad, it’s the best piece of work that I’ve met with in the 
woods ; and none know how often the hand of God is seen 
in the wilderness, but them that rove it for a man’s life.” ; 

“ What becomes of the water? In which direction does it | 
run? Is it a tributary of the Delaware? ” I 

“Anan!” said Natty. • 

“Does the water run into the Delaware?” 

“No, no; it’s a drop_ for the old Hudson, and a merry 
time it has till it gets down off the mountain. I’ve sat on 
the shelving rock many a long hour, boy, and watched the 
bubbles as they shot by me, and thought how long it would 
be before that very water, which seemed made for the wil- i 
derness, would be under the bottom of a vessel, and tossing i 
in the salt sea. It is a spot to make a man solemnize. You f 
can see right down into the valley that lies to the east of 
the High-peak, where, in the fall of the year, thousands of ' 
acres of woods are before your eyes, in the deep hollow, and 
along the side of the mountain, painted like ten thousand : 
rainbows, by no hand of man, though without the ordering . 
of God’s providence.” ^ 

“You are eloquent. Leather-stocking,” exclaimed the w 
youth. f 

“Anan!” repeated Natty. < 

“The recollection of the sight has warmed your blood, ■ 
old man. How many years is it since you saw the place?” 

The hunter made no reply ; but, bending his ear near the 
water, he sat holding his breath, and listening attentively 
as if to some distant sound. At length he raised his head, 
and said — 

“If I hadn’t fastened the hounds with my own hands, 
with a fresh leash of green buckskin, I’d take a Bible oath 
that I heard old Hector ringing his cry on the mountain.” 

“ It is impossible,” said Edwards ; “ it is not an hour since 
I saw him in his kennel.” 

By this time the attention of Mohegan was attracted to 
the sounds; but, notwithstanding the youth was both silent 
and attentive, he could hear nothing but the lowing of some 
cattle from the western hills. He looked at the old men. 
Natty sitting with his hand to his ear, like a trumpet, and 


THE PIONEERS. 


305 


Mohegan bending forward, with an arm raised to a level 
with his face, holding the forefinger elevated as a signal 
for attention, and laughed aloud at what he deemed to be 
their imaginary sounds. 

“Laugh if you will, boy,’’ said Leather-stocking; “the 
hounds be out, and are hunting a deer. No man can deceive 
me in such a matter. I wouldn’t have had the thing happen 
for a beaver’s skin. Not that I care for the law! but the 
venison is lean now, and the dumb things run the flesh off 
I their own b(tnes for no good. Now do you hear the 
j hounds?” 

1 Edwards started, as a full cry broke on his ear, changing 
I from the distant sounds that were caused by some interven- 
I ing hill, to confused echoes that rang among the rocks that 
the dogs were passing, and then directly to a deep and hol- 
low baying that pealed under the forest on the lake-shore. 
These variations in the tones of the hounds passed with 
amazing rapidity; and while his eyes were glancing along 
the margin of the water, a tearing of the branches of the 
alder and dogwood caught his attention, at a spot near 
them, and at the next moment a noble buck sprang on the 
shore, and buried himself in the lake. A full-mouthed cry 
followed, when Hector and the slut shot through the open- 
ing in the bushes, and darted into the lake also, bearing 
their breasts gallantly against the water. 


CHAPTEE XXYII. 


Oft in the full descending flood he tries « S 

To lose the scent, and lave his burning sides. I 

Thomson. j 

know’d it — I know’d cried Natty, when both ] 
deer and hounds were in full view; ^^the buck has gone 
by them with the wind, and it has been too much for the ; 
poor rogues; but I must break them of these tricks, or 
they’ll give me a deal of trouble. He-ere, he-ere — shore 
with you, Pascals — shore with you — will ye? — Oh! off 
with you, old Hector, or I’ll hatchel your hide with my I 
ramrod when I get ye.” | 

The dogs knew their master’s voice, and after swimming I 
in a circle, as if reluctant to give over the chase, and yet 1 
afraid to persevere, they finally obeyed, and returned to the . 
land, where they filled the air with their cries. | 

In the meantime the deer, urged by his fears, had swum \ 
over half the distance between the shore and the boats, be- ' 
fore his terror permitted him to see the new danger. But j 
at the sounds of Natty’s voice, he turned short in his course, I 
and for a few moments seemed about to rush back again, | 
and brave the dogs. His retreat in this direction was, how- 
ever, effectually cut off, and turning a second time, he urged | 
his course obliquely for the centre of the lake, with an in- 
tention of landing on the western shore. As the buck swam 
by the fishermen, raising his nose high into the air, curling 
the water before his slim neck like the beak of a galley, the 
Leather-stocking began to sit very uneasy in his canoe. 

‘^’Tis a noble creater ! ” he exclaimed; ^^what a pair of 
horns! a man might hang up all his garments on the 
branches. Let me see — July is the last month, and the 

306 


THE PIONEERS. 


307 


flesli must be getting good.’’ While he was talking, Natty 
had instinctively employed himself in fastening the inner 
end of the bark rope, that served him for a cable, to a 
paddle, and rising suddenly on his legs, he cast this buoy 
away, and cried — Strike out, John! let her go. The 
creater’s a fool to tempt a man in this way.” 

Mohegan threw the fastening of the youth’s boat from the 
canoe, and with one stroke of his paddle sent the light bark 
over the water like a meteor. 

‘‘Hold I ” exclaimed Edwards. “ Kemember the. law, my 
old friends. You are in plain sight of the village, and I 
1 know that Judge Temple is determined to prosecute all 
indiscriminately, who kill deer out of season.” 

The remonstrance came too late : the canoe was already far 
from the skiff, and the two hunters were too much engaged 
in the pursuit to listen to his voice. 

The buck was now within fifty yards of his pursuers, 
cutting the water gallantly, and snorting at each breath 
with terror and his exertions, while the canoe seemed to 
dance over the waves, as it rose and fell with the undu- 
lations made by its own motion. Leather-stocking raised 
his rifle and freshened the priming, but stood in suspense 
whether to slay his victim or not. 

“ Shall I, John, or no ? ” he said. “ It seems but a poor 
advantage to take of the dumb thing too. I won’t; it has 
taken to the water on its own nater, which is the reason 
that God has given to a deer, and I’ll give it the lake play ; 
so, John, lay out your arm, and mind the turn of the buck ; 
it’s easy to catch them, but they’ll turn like a snake.” 

The Indian laughed at the conceit of his friend, but con- 
tinued to send the canoe forward with a velocity that pro- 
ceeded much more from his skill than his strength. Both 
of the old men now used the language of the Delawares 
when they spoke. 

“ Hugh ! ” exclaimed Mohegan ; “ the deer turns his head. 
Hawk-eye, lift your spear.” 

' Natty never moved abroad without taking with him every 
1 implement that might, by possibility, be of service in his 
I pursuits. From his rifle he never parted; and although 


308 


THE PIONEERS. 


intending to fish with the line, the canoe was invariably 
furnished with all of its utensils, even to its grate. This 
precaution grew out of the habits of the hunter, who was 
often led, by his necessities or his sports, far beyond the 
limits of his original destination. A few years earlier than 
the date of our tale, the Leather-stocking had left his hut 
on the shores of the Otsego, with his rifle and his hounds, 
for a few days’ hunting in the hills ; but before he returned 
he had seen the waters of Ontario. One, two, or even three 
hundred miles had once been nothing to his sinews, which 
were now a little stiffened by age. The hunter did as Mo- 
hegan advised, and prepared to strike a blow, with the barbed 
weapon, into the neck of the buck. i 

^^Lay her more to the left, John,” he cried, ^Oay her 
more to the left ; another stroke of the paddle, and I have 
him.” 

While speaking, he raised the spear, and darted it from 
him like an arrow. At that instant the buck turned, the 
long pole glanced by him, the iron striking against his horn, 
and buried itself, harmlessly, in the lake. 

^^Back water,” cried Natty, as the canoe glided over the 
place where the spear had fallen ; “ hold water, John.” > 
The pole soon re-appeared, shooting upwards from the ■ 
lake, and as the hunter seized it in his hand, the Indian 
whirled the light canoe round, and renewed the chase. But 
this evolution gave the buck a great advantage ; and it also 1 
allowed time for Edwards to approach the scene of action. 1 
^‘Hold your hand. Natty!” cried the youth, ^^hold your 
hand ! remember it is out of season.” 

This remonstrance was made as the batteau arrived close 
to the place where the deer was struggling with the water, 
his back now rising to the surface, now sinking beneath it, 
as the waves curled from his neck, the animal still sustain- 
ing itself nobly against the odds. 

Hurrah ! ” shouted Edwards, inflamed beyond prudence 
at the sight ; ‘‘ mind him as he doubles — mind him as he 
doubles; sheer more to the right, Mohegan, more to the 
right, and I’ll have him by the horns ; I’ll throw the rope 
over his antlers.” 


THE PIONEERS. 


309 


The dark eye of the old warrior was dancing in his head 
with a wild animation, and the sluggish repose in which his 
aged frame had been resting in the canoe was now changed 
to all the rapid inflections of practised agility. The canoe 
whirled with each cunning evolution of the chase, like a 
bubble floating in a whirlpool ; and when the direction of 
the pursuit admitted of a straight course, the little bark 
skimmed the lake with a velocity that urged the deer to 
seek its safety in some new turn. 

It was the frequency of these circuitous movements, that, 

, by confining the action to so small a compass, enabled the 
youth to keep near his companions. More than twenty 
times both the pursued and the pursuers glided by him, just 
without the reach of his oars, until he thought the best way 
to view the sport was to remain stationary, and, by watch- 
I ing a favorable opportunity, assist as much as he could, in 
taking the victim. 

i He was not required to wait long, for no sooner had he 
' adopted this resolution, and risen in the boat, than he saw 
the deer coming bravely towards him, with an apparent 
intention of pushing for a point of land at some distance 
from the hounds, who were still barking and howling on the 
shore. Edwards caught the painter of his skiff, and, mak- 
ing a noose, cast it from him with all his force, and luckily 
succeeded in drawing its knot close around one of the ant- 
lers of the buck. 

For one instant, the skiff was drawn through the water, 
but in the next, the canoe glided before it, and Hatty, bend- 
ing low, passed his knife across the throat of the animal, 
whose blood followed the wound, dyeing the waters. The 
short time that was passed in the last struggles of the 
animal was spent by the hunters in bringing their boats to- 
gether, and securing them in that position, when Leather- 
stocking drew the deer from the water, and laid its lifeless 
form in the bottom of the canoe. He placed his hands on 
the ribs, and on different parts of the body of his prize, and 
then, raising his head, he laughed in his peculiar manner — 
So much for Marmaduke Temple’s law ! ” he said. This 
warms a body’s blood, old J ohn ; I haven’t killed a buck in 


810 


THE PIONEERS. 


the lake afore this, sin’ many a year. I call that good veni- 
son, lad; and I know them that will relish the creater’s 
steaks, for all the betterments in the land.” 

The Indian had long been drooping with his years, and 
perhaps under the calamities of his race, but this invigorat- 
ing and exciting sport caused a gleam of sunshine to cross 
his swarthy face that had long been absent from his feat- 
ures. It was evident the old man enjoyed the chase more 
as a memorial of his youthful sports and deeds, than with 
any expectation of profiting by the success. He felt the 
deer, however, lightly, his hand already trembling with the 
re-action of his unusual exertions, and smiled with a nod of 
approbation, as he said, in the emphatic and sententious 
manner of his people — 

Good.” 

^^I am afraid. Natty,” said Edwards, when the heat of the 
moment had passed, and his blood began to cool, ‘‘ that we 
have all been equally transgressors of the law. But keep 
your own counsel, and there are none here to betray us. 
Yet, how came those dogs at large ? I left them securely 
fastened, I know, for I felt the thongs, and examined the 
knots, when I was at the hut.” 

It has been too much for the poor things,” said Natty, 
to have such a buck take the wind of them. See, lad, the 
pieces of the buckskin are hanging from their necks yet. 
Let us paddle up, J ohn, and I will call them in, and look a 
little into the matter.” 

When the old hunter landed, and examined the thongs 
that were yet fast to the hounds, his countenance sensibly 
changed, and he shook his head doubtingly. 

Here has been a knife at work,” he said : this skin 
was never torn, nor is this the mark of a hound’s tooth. 
No, no — Hector is not in fault, as I feared.” 

Has the leather been cut ? ” cried Edwards. 

^^No, no — I didn’t say it had been cut, lad; but this is 
a mark that was never made by a jump or a bite.” 

Could that rascally carpenter have dared ! ” 

Ay ! he durst to do anything when there is no danger,” 
said Natty : ^^he is a curious body, and loves to be helping 


THE PIONEERS. 


311 


other people on with their consarns. But he had best not 
harbor so much near the wigwam ! ” 

In the meantime, Mohegan had been examining, with an 
Indian’s sagacity, the place where the leather thong had 
been separated. After scrutinizing it closely, he said, in 
Delaware — 

“ It was cut with a knife — a sharp blade and a long 
handle — the man was afraid of the dogs.” 

How is this, Mohegan ? ” exclaimed Edwards : “ you 
saw it not ! how can you know these facts ? ” 

Listen, son,” said the warrior. The knife was sharp, 
for the cut is smooth ; the handle was long, for a man’s 
arm would not reach from this gash to the cut that did not 
go through the skin : he was a coward, or he would have 
cut the thongs aromnd the necks of the hounds.” 

^^On my life,” cried Natty, ^^John is on the scent! It 
was the carpenter ; and he has got on the rock back of the 
kennel, and let the dogs loose by fastening his knife to a 
stick. It would be an easy matter to do it, where a man is 
so minded.” 

And why should he do so ? ” asked Edwards : who has 
done him wrong, that he should trouble two old men like you ? ” 
^Ht’s a hard matter, lad, to know men’s ways, I find, since 
the settlers have brought in their new fashions. But is 
there nothing to be found out in the place ? and maybe he 
is troubled with his longings after other people’s business, 
as he often is.” * 

^^Your suspicions are just. Give me the canoe: I am 
young and strong, and will get down there yet, perhaps, 
in time to interrupt his plans. Heaven forbid that we 
should be at the mercy of such a man ! ” 

His proposal was accepted, the deer being placed in the 
skiff in order to lighten the canoe, and in less than five 
minutes the little vessel of bark was gliding over the glassy 
lake, and was soon hid by the points of land, as it shot close 
along the shore. 

Mohegan followed slowly with the skiff, while Natty 
called his hounds to him, bade them keep close, and, shoul- 
dering his rifle, he ascended the mountain, with an inten- 
tion of going to the hut by land. 


CHAPTER XXVIII. 


Ask me not what the maiden feels, 

Left in that dreadful hour alone ; 

Perchance, her reason stoops, or reels; 

Perchance, a courage not her own, 

Braces her mind to desperate tone. 

Scott. 

While the chase was occurring on the lake, Miss Tem- 
ple and her companion pursued their walk on the mountain. 
Male attendants on such excursions were thought to be alto- 
gether unnecessary, for none were ever known to offer an 
insult to a female who respected herself. After the em- 
barrassment created by the parting discourse with Edwards 
had dissipated, the girls maintained a conversation that was 
as innocent and cheerful as themselves. 

The path they took led them but a short distance above 
the hut of Leather-stocking, and there was a point in the 
road which commanded a bird’s-eye view of the sequestered 
spot. 

‘ Erom a feeling that might have been natural, and must 
have been powerful, neither of the friends, in their frequent 
and confidential dialogues, had ever trusted herself to utter 
one syllable concerning the equivocal situation in which the 
young man who was now so intimately associated with them, 
had been found. If Judge Temple had deemed it prudent to 
make any inquiries on the subject, he had also thought it 
proper to keep the answers to himself ; though it was so com- 
mon an occurrence to find the well-educated youth of the East- 
ern States in every stage of their career to wealth, that the 
simple circumstance of his intelligence, connected with his 
poverty, would not, at that day, and in that country, have 
excited any very powerful curiosity. With his breeding, it 
might have been different; but the youth himself had so 

312 


THE PIONEERS. 


813 


effectually guarded against surprise on this subject, by his 
cold, and even, in some cases, rude deportment, that when 
his manners seemed to soften by time, the Judge, if he 
thought about it at all, would have been most likely to im- 
agine that the improvement was the result of his late asso- 
ciation. But women are always more alive to such subjects 
than men ; and what the abstraction of the father had over- 
looked, the observation of the daughter had easily detected. 
In the thousand little courtesies of polished life, she had 
early discovered that Edwards was not wanting, though his 
gentleness was so often crossed by marks of what she con- 
ceived to be fierce and uncontrollable passions. It may, 
perhaps, be unnecessary to tell the reader that Louisa Grant 
never reasoned so much after the fashions of the world. 
The gentle girl, however, had her own thoughts on the sub- 
ject, and, like others, she drew her own conclusions. 

“ I would give all my other secrets, Louisa,’’ exclaimed 
Miss Temple, laughing, and shaking back her dark locks, 
with a look of childish simplicity that her intelligent face 
seldom expressed, ^Go be mistress of all that those rude logs 
have heard and witnessed.” 

They were both looking at the secluded hut at the 
instant, and Miss Grant raised her mild eyes as she an- 
swered — 

“ I am sure they would tell nothing to the disadvantage 
of Mr. Edwards.” 

Perhaps not ; but they might, at least, tell who he is.” 

^^Why, dear Miss Temple, we know all that already. 
I have heard it all very rationally explained by your 
cousin — ” 

^^The executive chief! he can explain anything. His in- 
genuity will one day discover the philosopher’s stone. But 
what did he say ? ” 

Say ! ” echoed Louisa, with a look of surprise ; why 
everything that seemed to me to be satisfactory, and I have 
believed it to be true. He said that Hatty Bumppo had 
lived most of his life in the woods, and among the Indians, 
by which means he had formed an acquaintance with old 
J ohn, the Delaware chief.” 


314 


THE PIONEERS. 


“ Indeed ! that was quite a matter-of-fact tale for cousin 
Dickon. What came next ? ’’ 

I believe he accounted for their close intimacy, by some 
story about the Leather-stocking saving the life of John in 
a battle.’’ 

Nothing more likely,” said Elizabeth, a little impa- 
tiently ; “ but what is all this to the purpose ? ” 

^^Nay, Elizabeth, you must bear with my ignorance, and 
I will repeat all that I remember to have overheard; for 
the dialogue was between my father and the Sheriff, so 
lately as the last time they met. He then added, that the 
kings of England used to keep gentlemen as agents among 
the different tribes of Indians, and sometimes officers in the 
army, who frequently passed half their lives on the edge of 
the wilderness.” 

Told with wonderful historical accuracy ! And did he 
end there ? ” 

^^Oh! no — then he said that these agents seldom mar- 
ried; and — and — they must have been wicked men, Eliz- 
abeth ! but I assure you he said so.” 

“Never mind,” said Miss Temple, blushing and smiling, 
though so slightly, that both were unheeded by her com- 
panion — “skip all that.” 

“ Well, then, he said that they often took great pride in 
the education of their children, whom they frequently sent 
to England, and even to the colleges ; and this is the way 
that he accounts for the liberal manner in which Mr. Ed- 
wards has been taught ; for he acknowledges that he knows ; 
almost as much as your father — or mine — or even him- 
self.” ; 

“ Quite a climax in learning ! And so he made Mohegan i 
the granduncle, or grandfather of Oliver Edwards.” i 

“ You have heard him yourself, then? ” said Louisa. | 
“Often; but not on this subject. Mr. Richard Jones, - 
you know, dear, has a theory for everything; but has he j 
one which will explain the reason why that hut is the only j 
habitation within, fifty miles of us, whose door is not open ; 
to every person who may choose to lift its latch ? ” i 

“I have never heard him say anything on this subject,” j 


THE PIONEERS. 


315 


returned the clergyman’s daughter; ^^but I suppose that, 
as they are poor, they very naturally are anxious to keep 
the little that they honestly own. It is sometimes danger- 
ous to be rich. Miss Temple; but you cannot know how 
hard it is to be very, very poor.” 

Nor you, I trust, Louisa ; at least I should hope that, 
in this land of abundance, no minister of the church could 
be left to absolute suffering.” 

“ There cannot be actual misery,” returned the other, in 
a low and humble tone, where there is a dependence on 
our Maker ; but there may be such suffering as will cause 
the heart to ache.” 

^‘But not you — not you,” said the impetuous Elizabeth 
— not you, dear girl : you have never known the misery 
that is connected with poverty.” 

“ Ah ! Miss Temple, you little understand the troubles of 
this life, I believe. My father has spent many years as a 
missionary in the new countries, where his people were 
poor, and frequently we have been without bread; unable 
to buy, and ashamed to beg, because we would not disgrace 
his sacred calling. But how often have I seen him leave 
his home, where the sick and the hungry felt, when he left 
them, that they had lost their only earthly friend, to ride 
on a duty which could not be neglected for domestic evils. 
Oh ! how hard it must be to preach consolation to others, 
when your own heart is bursting with anguish ! ” 

^‘But4t is all over now! your father’s income must now 
be equal to his wants — it must be — it shall be — ” 

It is,” replied Louisa, dropping her head on her bosom, 
to conceal the tears which flowed in spite of her gentle 
Christianity — ‘‘ for there are none left to be supplied but 
me.” 

The turn the conversation had taken drove from the 
minds of the young maidens all other thoughts but those 
of holy charity; and Elizabeth folded her friend in her 
arms, when the latter gave vent to her momentary grief in 
audible sobs. When this burst of emotion had subsided, 
Louisa raised her mild countenance, and they continued 
their walk in silence. 


316 


THE PIONEERS. 


By this time they had gained the summit of the moun- 
tain, where they left the highway, and pursued their course 
under the shade of the stately trees that crowned the emi- 
nence. The day was becoming warm, and the girls plunged 
more deeply into the forest, as they found its invigorating 
coolness agreeably contrasted to the excessive heat they 
had experienced in the ascent. The conversation, as if by 
mutual consent, was entirely changed to the little incidents 
and scenes of their walk, and every tall pine, and every 
shrub or flower, called forth some simple expression of 
admiration. 

In this manner they proceeded along the margin of the 
precipice, catching occasional glimpses of the placid Otsego, 
or pausing to listen to the rattling of wheels and the sounds 
of hammers, that rose from the valley, to mingle the signs 
of men with the scenes of nature, when Elizabeth suddenly 
started, and exclaimed — i 

Listen ! there are the cries of a child on this mountain ! 
is there a clearing near us ? or can some little one have 
strayed from its parents ? ’’ 

Such things frequently happen,’’ returned Louisa. “ Let 
us follow the sounds : it may be a wanderer starving on the 
hill.” 

Urged by this consideration, the females pursued the 
low, mournful sounds, that proceeded from the forest, with 
quick and impatient steps. More than once, the ardent 
Elizabeth was on the point of announcing that she saw the 
sufferer, when Louisa caught her by the arm, and pointing 
behind them, cried — 

Look at the dog ! ” 

Brave had been their companion, from the time the voice 
of his young mistress lured him from his kennel, to the ' 
present moment. His advanced age had long before de- 
prived him of his activity; and when his companions 
stopped to view the scenery, or to add to their bouquets, 
the mastiff would lay his huge frame on the ground, and 
await their movements, with his eyes closed, and a listless- 
ness in his air that ill accorded with the character of a pro- 
tector. But when, aroused by this cry from Louisa, Miss t 


THE PIONEERS. 


317 


Temple turned, she saw the dog with his eyes keenly set 
on some distant object, his head bent near the ground, and 
his hair actually rising on his body, through fright or anger. 
It was most probably the latter, for he was growling in a 
low key, and occasionally showing his teeth, in a manner 
that would have terrified his mistress, had she not so well 
known his good qualities. 

'' Brave ! ” she said, be quiet. Brave ! what do you see, 
fellow ? 

At the sounds of her voice, the rage of the mastiff, instead 
of being at all diminished, was very sensibly increased. He 
stalked in front of the ladies, and seated himself at the feet 
of his mistress, growling louder than before, and occasion- 
ally giving vent to his ire, by a short, ^urly barking. 

^^What does he see?” said Elizabeth: there must be 
some animal in sight.” 

Hearing no answer from her companion. Miss Temple 
turned her head, and beheld Louisa, standing with her face 
whitened to the color of death, and her finger pointing up- 
wards, with a sort of flickering, convulsed motion. The 
quick eye of Elizabeth glanced in the direction indicated by 
her friend, where she saw the fierce front and glaring eyes 
of a female panther, fixed on them in horrid malignity, and 
threatening to leap. 

^^Let us fly,” exclaimed Elizabeth, grasping the arm of 
Louisa, whose form yielded like melting snow. 

There was not a single feeling in the temperament of 
Elizabeth Temple that could prompt her to desert a com- 
panion in such an extremity. She fell on her knees, by the 
side of the inanimate Louisa, tearing from the person of her 
friend, with instinctive readiness, such parts of her dress as 
might obstruct her respiration, and encouraging their only 
safeguard, the dog, at the same time, by the sounds of her 
voice. 

/^Courage, Brave!” she cried, her own tones beginning 
to tremble, “ courage, courage, good Brave ! ” 

A quarter-grown cub, that had hitherto been unseen, now 
appeared, dropping from the branches of a sapling that grew 
under the shade of the beech which held its dam. This igno- 


318 


THE PIONEERS. 


rant, but vicious creature, approached the dog, imitating 
the actions and sounds of its parent, but exhibiting a strange 
mixture of the playfulness of a kitten with the ferocity of its 
race. Standing on its hind legs, it would rend the bark of 
a tree with its fore paws, and play the antics of a cat ; and 
then, by lashing itself with its tail, growling, and scratching 
the earth, it would attempt the manifestations of anger that 
rendered its parent so terrific. 

All this time Brave stood firm and undaunted, his short 
tail erect, his body drawn backward on its haunches, and 
his eyes following the movements of both dam and cub. 
At every gambol played by the latter, it approached nigher 
to the dog, the growling of the three becoming more horrid 
at each moment, until, the younger beast overleaping its in- 
tended bound, fell directly be'fore the mastiff. There was 
a moment of fearful cries and struggles, but they ended 
almost as soon as commenced, by the cub appearing in the 
air, hurled from the jaws of Brave, with a violence that sent 
it against a tree so forcibly as to render it completely sense- 
less. 

Elizabeth witnessed the short struggle, and her blood was 
warming with the triumph of the dog, when she saw the 
form of the old panther in the air, springing twenty feet 
from the branch of the beech to the back of the mastiff. No 
words of ours can describe the fury of the conflict that fol- 
lowed. It was a confused struggle on the dry leaves, ac- 
companied by loud and terrific cries. Miss Temple contin- 
ued on her knees, bending over the form of Louisa, her eyes 
fixed on the animals, with an interest so horrid, and yet so 
intense, that she almost forgot her own stake in the result. 
So rapid and vigorous were the bounds of the inhabitant of 
the forest, that its active frame seemed constantly in the 
air, while the dog nobly faced his foe at each successive 
leap. When the panther lighted on the shoulders of the 
mastiff, which was its constant aim, old Brave, though torn 
with her talons, and stained with his own blood, that already 
flowed from a dozen wounds, would shake off his furious foe 
like a feather, and rearing on his hind legs, rush to the fray 
again, with jaws distended, and a dauntless eye. But age. 


THE PIONEERS. 


319 


and his pampered life, greatly disqualified the noble mas- 
tiff for such a struggle. In everything but courage, he was 
only the vestige of what he had once been. A higher bound 
than ever raised the wary and furious beast far beyond the 
reach of the dog, who was making a desperate but fruitless 
dash at her, from which she alighted in a favorable position, 
on the back of her aged foe. For a single moment only 
could the panther remain there, the great strength of the 
dog returning with a convulsive effort. But Elizabeth saw, 
as Brave fastened his teeth in the side of his enemy, that 
the collar of brass around his neck, which had been glitter- 
ing throughout the fray, was of the color of blood, and di- 
rectly, that his frame was sinking to the earth, where it 
soon lay prostrate and helpless. Several mighty efforts of 
the wildcat to extricate herself from the jaws of the dog fol- 
lowed, but they were fruitless, until the mastiff turned on 
his back, his lips collapsed, and his teeth loosened, when 
the short convulsions and stillness that succeeded, announced 
the death of poor Brave. 

Elizabeth now lay wholly at the mercy of the beast. 
There is said to be something in the front of the image of 
the Maker that daunts the hearts of the inferior beings of 
His creation; and it would seem that some such power, 
in the present instance, suspended the threatened blow. 
The eyes of the monster and the kneeling maiden met for 
an instant, when the former stooped to examine her fallen 
foe ; next to scent her luckless cub. From the latter exam- 
ination, it turned, however, with its eyes apparently emit- 
ting flashes of fire, its tail lashing its sides furiously, and 
its claws projecting inches from its broad feet. 

Miss Temple did not or could not move. Her hands were 
clasped in the attitude of prayer, but her eyes were still 
drawn to her terrible enemy — her cheeks were blanched to 
the whiteness of marble, and her lips were slightly separated 
with horror. 

The moment seemed now to have arrived for the fatal 
termination, and the beautiful figure of Elizabeth was bow- 
ing meekly to the stroke, when a rustling of leaves behind 
seemed rather to mock the organs than to meet her ears. 


320 


THE PIONEERS. 


Hist ! hist ! said a low voice, stoop lower, gal ; your 
bonnet hides the creater’s head.” 

It was rather the yielding of nature than a compliance with 
this unexpected order, that caused the head of our heroine 
to sink on her bosom; when she heard the report of the 
rifle, the whizzing of the bullet, and the enraged cries of 
the beast, who was rolling over on the earth biting its own 
flesh, and tearing the twigs and branches within its reach. 
At the next instant the form of the Leather-stocking rushed 
by her, and he called aloud — 

“ Come in. Hector, come in, old fool ; ’tis a hard-lived 
animal, and may jump ag’in.” 

Natty fearlessly maintained his position in front of the 
females, notwithstanding the violent bounds and threaten- 
ing aspect of the wounded panther, which gave several 
indications of returning strength and ferocity, until his 
rifle was again loaded, when he stepped up to the enraged 
animal, and placing the muzzle close to its head, every 
spark of life was extinguished by the discharge. 

The death of her terrible enemy appeared to Elizabeth 
like a resurrection from her own grave. There was an 
elasticity in the mind of our heroine that rose to meet the 
pressure of instant danger, and the more direct it had been, 
the more her nature had struggled to overcome them. But 
still she was a woman. Had she been left to herself in her 
late extremity, she would probably have used her faculties 
to the utmost, and with discretion, in protecting her person ; 
but encumbered with her inanimate friend, retreat was a 
thing not to be attempted. Notwithstanding the fearful 
aspect of her foe, the eye of Elizabeth had never shrunk 
from its gaze, and long after the event her thoughts would 
recur to her passing sensations, and the sweetness of her 
midnight sleep would be disturbed, as her active fancy con- 
jured, in dreams, the most trifling movements of savage 
fury that the beast had exhibited in its moment of power. 

We shall leave the reader to imagine the restoration of 
Louisa’s senses, and the expressions of gratitude which 
fell from the young women. The former was effected by a 
little water, that was brought from one of the thousand 


THE PIONEERS. 


321 


springs of those mountains, in the cap of the Leather- 
stocking ; and the latter were uttered with the warmth that 
might be expected from the character of Elizabeth. Natty 
received her vehement protestations of gratitude with a 
simple expression of good will, and with indulgence for her 
present excitement, but with a carelessness that showed how 
little he thought of the service he had rendered. 

^^Well, well,” he said, ‘^be it so, gal; let it be so, if you 
wish it — we’ll talk the thing over another time. Come, 
come — let us get into the road, for you’ve had terror enough 
to make you wish yourself in your father’s house ag’in.” 

This was uttered as they were proceeding, at a pace that 
was adapted to the weakness of Louisa, towards the high- 
way : on reaching which the ladies separated from their 
guide, declaring themselves equal to the remainder of the 
walk without his assistance, and feeling encouraged by the 
sight of the village which lay beneath their feet like a 
picture, with its limpid lake in front, the winding stream 
along its margin, and its hundred chimneys of whitened 
bricks. 

The reader need not be told the nature of the emotions 
which two youthful, ingenuous, and well-educated girls 
would experience at their escape from a death so horrid as 
the one which had impended over them, while they pursued 
their way in silence along the track on the side of the 
mountain ; nor how deep were their mental thanks to that 
Power which had given them their existence, and which 
had not deserted them in their extremity ; neither how often 
they pressed each other’s arms, as the assurance of their 
present safety came, like a healing balm athwart their 
troubled spirits, when their thoughts were recurring to the 
recent moments of horror. 

Leather-stocking remained on the hill, gazing after their 
retiring figures, until they were hidden by a bend in the 
road, when he whistled in his dogs, and shouldering his 
rifle, he returned into the forest. 

Well, it was a skeary thing to the young creators,” said 
Natty, while he re-trod the path towards the plain. ‘^It 
might frighten an older woman, to see a she painter so near 


322 


THE PIONEERS. 


her, with a dead cub by its side. I wonder if I had aimed at 
the varmint’s eye, if I shouldn’t have touched the life sooner 
than in the forehead ; but they are hard-lived animals, and it 
was a good shot, consid’ring that I could see nothing but the 
head and the peak of its tail. Hah ! who goes there ? ” 
How goes it, Hatty ? ” said Mr. Doolittle, stepping out 
of the bushes, with a motion that was a good deal accelerated 
by the sight of the rifle, that was already lowered in his 
direction. What ! shooting this warm day ! mind, old 
man, the law don’t get hold on you.” 

The law. Squire ! I have shook hands with the law these 
forty year,” returned Natty; ^^for what has a man who 
lives in the wilderness to do with the ways of the law ? ” 

“Not much, maybe,” said Hiram; “but you sometimes 
trade in venison. I s’pose you know. Leather-stocking, that 
there is an act passed to lay a fine of five pounds currency, 
or twelve dollars and fifty cents, by decimals, on every man 
who kills a deer betwixt January and August. The Judge 
had a great hand in getting the law through.” 

“ I can believe it,” returned the old hunter ; “ I can believe 
that or anything, of a man who carries on as he does in the 
country.” 

“Yes, the law is quite positive, and the Judge is bent on 
putting it in force — five pounds penalty. I thought I 
heard your hounds out on the scent of so’ thing this morn- 
ing : I didn’t know but they might get you in difficulty.” 

“They know their manners too well,” said Natty, care- 
lessly. “Aiid how much goes to the state’s evidence. 
Squire ? ” 

“ How much ! ” repeated Hiram, quailing under the honest 
but sharp look of the hunter: “the informer gets half I 
— I believe; — yes, I guess it’s half. But there’s blood on 
your sleeve, man — you haven’t been shooting anything this 
morning ? ” 

“ I have, though,” said the hunter, nodding his head sig- 
nificantly to the other, “ and a good shot I made of it.” 

“H-e-m !” ejaculated the magistrate ; “and where is the 
game ? I s’pose it’s of a good nater, for your dogs won’t 
hunt at anything that isn’t choice.” 


THE PIONEERS. 


323 


“They’ll hunt anything I tell them to, Squire,” cried 
Natty, favoring the other with his laugh. They’ll hunt 
you, if I say so. He-e-e-re, he-e-e-re. Hector — he-e-e-re, slut 
— come thisaway, pups — come thisaway — come hither.” 

“ Oh ! I have always heard a good character of the dogs,” 
returned Mr. Doolittle, quickening his pace by raising each 
leg in rapid succession, as the hounds scented around his 
person. “ And where is the game. Leather-stocking ? ” 

During this dialogue, the speakers had been walking at 
a very fast gait, and Natty swung the end of his rifle round, 
pointing through the bushes, and replied — 

“ There lies one. How do you like such meat ? ” 

“ This ! ” exclaimed Hiram ; “ Why this is Judge Temple’s 
dog Brave. Take care. Leather-stocking, and don’t make 
an enemy of the Judge. I hope you haven’t harmed the 
animal ? ” 

“ Look for yourself, Mr. Doolittle,” said Natty, drawing 
his knife from his girdle, and wiping it, in a knowing man- 
ner, once or* twice across his garment of buckskin ; “ does 
his throat look as if I had cut it with this knife ? ” 

“It is dreadfully torn! it’s an awful wound — no knife 
never did this deed. Who could have done it ? ” 

The painters behind you. Squire.” 

“ Painters 1 ” echoed Hiram, whirling on his heel with an 
agility that would have done credit to a dancing master. 

“ Be easy, man,” said Natty ; “ there’s two of the venom- 
ous things ; but the dog finished one, and I have fastened 
the other’s jaws for her ; so don’t be frightened. Squire, they 
won’t hurt you.” 

“ And where’s the deer ? ” cried Hiram, staring about him 
with a bewildered air. 

“ Anan ! deer ! ” repeated Natty. 

“ Sartain, an’t there venison here, or didn’t you kill a 
buck ? ” 

“What! when the law forbids the thing, squire!” said 
the old hunter. “ I hope there’s no law ag’in killing the 
painters.” 

“No; there’s a bounty on the scalps — but — will your 
dogs hunt painters. Natty ? ” 


324 


THE PIONEERS. 


Any tiling ; didn’t I tell you they’d hunt a man ? He-e-re, 
he-e-re, pups — ” 

Yes, yes, I remember. Well, they are strange dogs, I 
must say — I am quite in a wonderment.” 

Natty had seated himself on the ground, and having laid 
the grim head of his late ferocious enemy in his lap, was 
drawing his knife with a practised hand around the ears, 
which he tore from the head of the beast in such a manner 
as to preserve their connexion, when he answered — 

“ What at. Squire ? did you never see a painter’s scalp 
afore ? Come, you are a magistrate, I wish you’d make me 
out an order for the bounty.” 

The bounty ! ” repeated Hiram, holding the ears on the 
end of his finger, for a moment, as if uncertain how to pro- 
ceed. Well, let us go down to your hut, where you can 
take the oath, and I will write out the order. I suppose 
you have a Bible ? all the law wants is the four evangelists 
and the Lord’s prayer.” 

keep no books,” said Natty, a little coldly: ^^not such 
a Bible as the law needs.” 

Oh ! there’s but one sort of Bible that’s good in law,” 
returned the magistrate : “ and your’n will do as well as 
another’s. Come, the carcases are worth nothing, man ; let 
us go down and take the oath.” 

‘‘ Softly, softly. Squire,” said the hunter, lifting his tro- 
phies very deliberately from the ground, and shouldering 
his rifle ; why do you want an oath at all, for a thing that 
your own eyes has seen ? won’t you believe yourself, that 
another man must swear to a fact that you know to be true ? 
You have seen me scalp the creaters, and if I must swear to 
it, it shall be before Judge Temple, who needs an oath.” 

‘^But we have no pen or paper here. Leather-stocking; 
we must go to the hut for them, or how can I write the 
order.” 

'Natty turned his simple features on the cunning magis- 
trate with another of his laughs, as he said — 

^^And what should I be doing with scholars’ tools? I 
Avant no pens or paper, not knowing the use of either ; and 
I keep none. No, no. I’ll bring the scalps into the village, 


THE PIONEERS. 


325 


Squire, and you can make out the order on one of your law- 
books, and it will be all the better for it. The deuce take 
this leather on the neck of the dog, it will strangle the old 
fool. Can you lend me a knife. Squire ? ” 

Hiram, who seemed particularly anxious to be on good 
terms with his companion, unhesitatingly complied. Hatty 
cut the thong from the neck of the hound, and, as he re- 
turned the knife to its owner, carelessly remarked — 

“ ^Tis a good bit of steel, and has cut such leather as this 
very same, before now, I dare say.’’ 

Do you mean to charge me with letting your hounds 
loose ? ” exclaimed Hiram, with a consciousness that dis- 
armed his caution. 

Loose ! ” repeated the hunter — I let them loose myself. 
I always let them loose before I leave the hut.” 

The ungovernable amazement with which Mr. Doolittle 
listened to this falsehood, would have betrayed his agency 
in the liberation of the dogs, had Hatty wanted any further 
confirmation ; and the coolness and management of the old 
man now disappeared in open indignation. 

^^Look you here, Mr. Doolittle,” he said, striking the 
breech of his rifle violently on the ground; ^^what there 
is in the wigwam of a poor man like me, that one like you 
can crave, I don’t know; but this I tell you to your face, 
that you never shall put foot under the roof of my cabin 
with my consent, and that if you harbor round the spot as 
you have done lately, you may meet with treatment that you 
will little relish.” 

And let me tell you, Mr. Bumppo,” said Hiram, retreat- 
ing, however, with a quick step, that I know you’ve broke 
the law, and that I’m a magistrate, and will make you feel 
it too, before you are a day older.” 

^^That for you and your law too,” cried Hatty, snapping 
his fingers at the justice of the peace ; away with you, you 
varmint, before the devil tempts me to give you your de- 
sarts. Take care, if I ever catch your prowling face in the 
woods ag’in, that I don’t shoot it for an owl.” 

There is something at all times commanding in honest 
indignation, and Hiram did not stay to provoke the wrath 


326 


THE PIONEERS. 


of the old hunter to extremities. When the intruder was 
out of sight, Natty proceeded to the hut, where he found all 
quiet as the grave. He fastened his dogs, and tapping at 
the door, which was opened by Edwards, asked — 

Is all safe, lad ? ” 

Everything,’^ returned the youth. Some one attempted 
the lock, but it was too strong for him.” 

^‘1 know the creater,” said Natty, ^^but he’ll not trust 
himself within reach of my rifle very soon — ” What more 
was uttered by the Leather-stocking, in his vexation, was 
rendered inaudible by the closing of the door of the cabin. 


CHAPTER XXIX. 


It is noised, he hath a mass of treasure. 

Timon op Athens. 

When Marmaduke Temple and his cousin rode through 
the gate of the former, the heart of the father had been too 
recently touched with the best feelings of our nature, to 
leave inclination for immediate discourse. There was an 
importance in the air of Richard, which would not have 
admitted of the ordinary informal conversation of the 
Sheriff, without violating all the rules of consistency; and 
the equestrians pursued their way with great diligence, for 
more than a mile, in profound silence. At length the soft 
expression of parental affection was slowly chased from the 
handsome features of the Judge, and was gradually sup- 
planted by the cast of humor and benevolence that was 
usually seated on his brow. 

^‘Well, Dickon,’’ he said, since I have yielded myself 
so far implicitly to your guidance, I think the moment 
has arrived when I am entitled to further confidence. Why 
and wherefore are we journeying together in this solemn 
gait?” 

The Sheriff gave a loud hem, that rang far in the forest, 
and keeping his eyes fixed on objects before him, like a man 
who is looking deep into futurity — 

There has always been one point of difference between 
us. Judge Temple, I may say, since our nativity,” he replied; 
“not that I would insinuate that you are at all answer- 
able for the acts of nature; for a man is no more to be 
condemned for the misfortunes of his birth, than he is to 
be commended for the natural advantages he may possess; 
but on one point we may be said to have differed from our 

327 


328 


THE PIONEERS. 


births, and they, you know, occurred within two days of 
each other.” 

“I really marvel, Richard, what this one point can be; 
for, to my eyes, we seem to differ so materially, and so 
often — ” 

“Mere consequences, sir,” interrupted the Sheriff; “all 
our minor differences proceed from one cause, and that is, 
our opinions of the universal attainments of genius.” 

“ In what, Dickon? ” 

“I speak plain English, I believe. Judge Temple; at 
least I ought ; for my father, who taught me, could 
speak — ” 

“Greek and Latin,” interrupted Marmaduke. “I well 
know the qualifications of your family in tongues, Dickon. 
But proceed to the point; why are we travelling over this 
mountain to-day?” 

“ To do justice to any subject, sir, the narrator must be 
suffered to proceed in his own way,” continued the Sheriff. 
“You are of opinion. Judge Temple, that a man is to be 
qualified by nature and education to do only one thing well, 
whereas I know that genius will supply the place of learn- 
ing, and that a certain sort of man can do anything and 
everything.” 

“Like yourself, I suppose,” said Marmaduke, smiling. 

“I scorn personalities, sir, I say nothing of myself; but 
there are three men on your Patent, of the kind that I should 
term talented by nature for her general purposes, though act- 
ing under the influence of different situations.” 

“We are better off, then, than I had supposed. Who are 
these triumviri?” 

“ Why, sir, one is Hiram Doolittle ; a carpenter by trade, 
as you know, — and I need only point to the village to 
exhibit his merits. Then he is a magistrate, and might 
shame many a man, in his distribution of justice, who has 
had better opportunities.” 

“Well, he is one,” said Marmaduke, with the air of a 
man that was determined not to dispute the point. 

“ Jotham Riddel is another.” 

“Who?” 


THE PIONEERS. 


829 


“ Jotham Riddel.” 

“AVhat, that dissatisfied, shiftless, lazy, speculating fel- 
low ! he who changes his county every three years, his farm 
every six months, and his occupation every season ! an agri- 
culturist yesterday, a shoemaker to-day, and a school-master 
to-morrow? that epitome of all the unsteady and profitless 
propensities of the settlers without one of their good quali- 
ties to counterbalance the evil! Ray, Richard, this is too 
bad for even — but the third?” 

As the third is not used to hearing such comments on 
his character. Judge Temple, I shall not name him.” 

“ The amount of all this, then, Dickon, is, that the trio, 
of which you are one, and the principal, have made some 
important discovery.” 

“I have not said that I am one. Judge Temple. As I 
told you before, I say nothing egotistical. But a discovery 
has been made, and you are deeply interested in it.” 

‘^Proceed — I am all ears.” 

“No, no, ’duke, you are bad enough, I own, but not so 
bad as that either: your ears are not quite full grown.” 

The Sheriff laughed heartily at his own wit, and put 
himself in good humor thereby, when he gratified his 
patient cousin with the following explanation: 

You know, ’duke, there is a man living on your estate 
that goes by the name of Ratty Bumppo. Here has this 
man lived, by what I can learn, for more than forty years 
— by himself, until lately; and now with strange com- 
panions.” 

'‘Part very true, and all very probable,” said the Judge. 

"All true, sir; all true. Well, within these last few 
months have appeared as his companions, an old Indian 
chief, the last, or one of the last of his tribe that is to be 
found in this part of the country, and a young man, who is 
said to be the son of some Indian agent, by a squaw.” 

"Who says that?” cried Marmaduke, with an interest 
that he had not manifested before. 

"Who? why common sense — common report — the hue 
and cry. But listen till you know all. This youth has 
very pretty talents — yes, what I call very pretty talents 


330 


THE PIONEERS. 


— and has been well educated, has seen very tolerable 
company, and knows how to behave himself, when he has 
a mind to. Now, Judge Temple, can you tell me what has 
brought three such men as Indian John, Natty Bumppo, and 
Oliver Edwards together?’’ 

Marmaduke turned his countenance, in evident surprise, 
to his cousin, and replied quickly — 

‘‘ Thou hast unexpectedly hit on a subject. Bichard, that 
has often occupied my mind. But knowest thou anything of 
this mystery, or are they only the crude conjectures of — ” 
Crude nothing, ’duke, crude nothing; but facts, stub- 
born facts. You know there are mines in these mountains; 
I have often heard you say that you believed in their 
existence.” 

“Beasoning from analogy. Bichard, but not with any 
certainty of the fact.” 

You have heard them mentioned, and have seen speci- 
mens of the ore, sir; you will not deny that! and, reason- 
ing from analogy, as you say, if there be mines in South 
America, ought there not to be mines in North America 
too?” 

‘‘Nay, nay, I deny nothing, my cousin. I certainly have 
heard many rumors of the existence of mines in these hills ; 
and I do believe that I have seen specimens of the precious 
metals that have been found here. It would occasion me 
no surprise to learn that tin and silver, or what I consider 
of more consequence, good coal — ” 

“Damn your coal,” cried the Sheriff; “who wants to 
find coal in these forests? No, no, silver, ’duke; silver is 
the one thing needful, and silver is to be found. But lis- 
ten; you are not to be told that the natives have long 
known the use of gold and silver; now who so likely to be 
acquainted where they are to be found, as the ancient 
inhabitants of a country? I have the best reasons for be- 
lieving that both Mohegan and the Leather-stocking have 
been privy to the existence of a mine in this very mountain, 
for many years.” 

The Sheriff had now touched his cousin in a sensitive 
spot; and Marmaduke lent a more attentive ear to the 


THE PIONEERS. 331 

speaker, who, after waiting a moment, to see the effect 
of this extraordinary development, proceeded — 

“Yes, sir, I have my reasons, and at a proper time you 
shall know them.’^ 

“No time is so good as the present.” 

“Well, well, be attentive,” continued Eichard, looking 
cautiously about him, to make certain that no eavesdropper 
was hid in the forest, though they were in constant motion. 
“ I have seen Mohegan and the Leather-stocking, with my 
own eyes — and my eyes are as good as anybody’s eyes — I 
have seen them, I say, both going up the mountain and coming 
down it ; with spades and picks ; and others have seen them 
carrying things into their hut, in a secret and mysterious 
manner, after dark. Do you call this a fact of importance? ” 
The Judge did not reply, but his brow had contracted, 
with a thoughtfulness that he always wore when much in- 
terested, and his eyes rested on his cousin in expectation 
of hearing more. Eichard continued — 

“It was ore. Now, sir, I ask if you can tell me who this 
Mr. Oliver Edwards is, that has made a part of your house- 
hold since Christmas?” 

Marmaduke again raised his eyes, but continued silent, 
shaking his head in the negative. 

“ That he is a half-breed we know, for Mohegan does not 
scruple to call him openly his kinsman ; that he is well edu- 
cated we know. But as to his business here — do you re- 
member that about a month before this young man made 
his appearance among us. Natty was absent from home 
several days? You do; for you inquired for him, as you 
wanted some venison to take to your friends, when you 
went for Bess. Well, he was not to be found. Old John 
was left in the hut alone; and when Natty did appear, 
although he came on in the night, he was seen drawing one 
of those jumpers that they carry their grain to mill in, and 
to take out something with great care, that he had covered 
up under his bearskins. Now let me ask you. Judge Temple, 
what motive could induce a man like the Leather-stocking 
to make a sled, and toil with a load over these mountains, 
if he had nothing but his rifle or his ammunition to carry? ” 


% 

k 

332 THE PIOKEERS. ; 

“They frequently make these jumpers to convey their 
game home, and you say he had been absent many days.” 

“ How did he kill it? His rifle was in the village, to be j 
mended. Ho, no — that he was gone to some unusual place | 
is certain; that he brought back some secret utensils is ' 
more certain; and that he has not allowed a soul to j 
approach his hut since, is most certain of all.” i 

“He was never fond of intruders — ” j 

“ I know it, ” interrupted Richard ; “ but did he drive them | 
from his cabin morosely? Within a fortnight of his return, j 
this Mr. Edwards appears. They spend whole days in the j 
mountains, pretending to be shooting, but in reality explor- i 
ing; the frosts prevent their digging at that time, and he ! 
avails himself of a lucky accident to get into good quarters. 
But even now, he is quite half of his time in that hut — 
many hours every night. They are smelting, Muke, they 
are smelting, and as they grow rich, you grow poor.” 

“How much of this is thine own, Richard, and how 
much comes from others? I would sift the wheat from 
the chaff.” 

“ Part is my own, for I saw the jumper, though it was 
broken up and burnt in a day or two. I have told you 
that I saw the old man with his spades and picks. Hiram 
met Natty, as he was crossing the mountain, the night of 
his arrival with the sled, and very good-naturedly offered 
— Hiram is good natured — ’to carry up part of his load, 
for the old man had a heavy pull up the back of the moun- 
tain, but he wouldn’t listen to the thing, and repulsed the 
offer in such a manner that the squire said he had half a ' 
mind to swear the peace against him. Since the snow has - 
been off, more especially after the frosts got out of the ” 
ground, we have kept a watchful eye on the gentleman, in 
which we have found Jotham useful.” 

Marmaduke did not much like the associates of Richard 
in this business ; still he knew them to be cunning and ready : 
in expedients ; and as there was certainly something myste- ;f 
rious, not only in the connexion between the old hunters 
and Edwards, but in what his cousin had just related, he 
began to revolve the subject in his own mind with more 


THE PIONEERS. 


333 


t care. On reflection, he remembered various circumstances 
that tended to corroborate these suspicions, and, as the 
whole business favored one of his infirmities, he yielded 
the more readily to their impression. The mind of Judge 
Temple, at all times comprehensive, had received, from 
ihis peculiar occupations, a bias to look far into futurity, 
in his speculations on the improvements that posterity 
was to make in his lands. To his eye, where others saw 
nothing but a wilderness, towns, manufactories, bridges, 

1 1 canals, mines, and all the other resources of an old Conn- 
ie try were constantly presenting themselves, though his 
j(j good sense suppressed, in some degree, the exhibition of 

I ' these expectations. 

As the Sheriff allowed his cousin full time to reflect on 
what he had heard, the probability of some pecuniary ad- 
■ venture being the connecting link in the chain that brought 
III Oliver Edwards into the cabin of Leather-stocking appeared 
to him each moment to be stronger. But Marmaduke was 
H too much in the habit of examining both sides of a subject, 
(j not to perceive the objections, and he reasoned with him- 
: self aloud : 

! “It cannot be so, or the youth would not be driven so 
near the verge of poverty.’^ 

j “ What so likely to make a man dig for money, as being 

I I poor?’’ cried the Sheriff. 

I ‘‘Besides, there is an elevation of character about Oliver, 

I that proceeds from education, which would forbid so clan- 
i destine a proceeding.” 

“ Could an ignorant fellow smelt? ” continued Eichard. 

“ Bess hints that he was reduced even to his last shilling, 
when we took him into our dwelling.” 

I “He had been buying tools. And w^ould he spend his 
illast sixpence for a shot at a turkey, had he not known 
I where to get more?” 

“ Can I have possibly been so long a dupe ! His manner 
has been rude to me at times; but I attributed it to his 
conceiving himself injured, and to his mistaking the forms 
I of the world.” 

! “Haven’t you been a dupe all your life, ’duke? and an’t 


334 


THE PIONEERS. 


what you call ignorance of forms deep cunning, to conceal [ 
his real character?’’ '' 

“If he were bent on deception, he would have concealed!, 
his knowledge, and passed with us for an inferior man.” 

“He cannot. I could no more pass for a fool, myself, ■ 
than I could fly. Knowledge is not to be concealed, like a 
candle under a bushel.” 

“Eichard,” said the Judge, turning to his cousin, “there 
are many reasons against the truth of thy conjectures; but 
thou hast awakened suspicions which must be satisfied. But 
why are we travelling here?” 

“ Jotham, who has been much in the mountain latterly, 
being kept there by me and Hiram, has made a discovery, 
Avhich he will not explain, he says, for he is bound by an 
oath; but the amount is, that he knows where the ore lies, : 
and he has this day begun to dig. I would not consent to 
the thing, ’duke, without your knowledge, for the land is i; 
yours ; and now you know the reason of our ride. I call 
this a countermine, ha ! ” 

“And where is this desirable spot?” asked the Judge, j 
with an air half-comical, half-serious. '' 

“At hand; and when we have visited that, I will show 
you one of the places that we have found within a week, 
where our hunters have been amusing themselves for six ; 
months past.” ' 

The gentlemen continued to discuss the matter, while ; 
their horses picked their way under the branches of trees, 
and over the uneven ground of the mountain. They soon 
arrived at the end of their journey, where, in truth, they » 
found Jotham already buried to his neck in a hole that he 
had been digging. 

Marmaduke questioned the miner very closely, as to his j 
reasons for believing in the existence of the precious metals 
near that particular spot ; but the fellow maintained an ; 
obstinate mystery in his answers. He asserted that he had 
the best of reasons for what he did, and inquired of the 
Judge what portion of the profits would fall to his own i 
share, in the event of success, with an earnestness that 
proved his faith. After spending an hour near the place, 


THE PIONEERS. 


335 


examining the stones, and searching for the usual indica- 
tions of the proximity of ore, the Judge remounted, and 
suffered his cousin to lead the way to the place where the 
mysterious trio had been making their excavation. 

The spot chosen by Jotham was on the back of the moun- 
tain that overhung the hut of Leather-stocking, and the 
place selected by Natty and his companions was on the 
other side of the same hill, but above the road, and, of 
course, in an opposite direction to the route taken by the 
ladies in their walk. 

“We shall be safe in approaching the place now,’’ said 
Eichard, while tliey dismounted and fastened their horses; 
“for I took a look with the glass, and saw John and Leather- 
stocking, in their canoe fishing, before we left home, and 
Oliver is in the same pursuit; but these may be nothing but 
shams, to blind our eyes, so we will be expeditious, for it 
would not be pleasant to be caught here by them.” 

“Not on my own land!” said Marmaduke sternly. ‘‘If 
it be as you suspect, I will know their reasons for making 
this excavation.” 

“Mum,” said Eichard, laying a finger on his lip, and 
leading the way down a very difficult descent to a sort of 
natural cavern, which was found in the face of the rock, 
and was not unlike a fire-place in shape. In front of this 
place lay a pile of earth, which had evidently been taken 
from the recess, and part of which was yet fresh. An 
examination of the exterior of the cavern left the Judge 
in doubt whether it was one of nature’s frolics that had 
thrown it into that shape, or whether it had been wrought 
by the hands of man, at some earlier period. But there could 
be no doubt that the whole of the interior was of recent 
formation, and the marks of the pick were still visible, 
where the soft, lead-colored rock had opposed itself to the 
progress of the miners. The whole formed an excavation 
of about twenty feet in width, and nearly twice that dis- 
tance in depth. The height was much greater than was 
required for the ordinary purposes of experiment; but this 
was evidently the effect of chance, as the roof of the cavern 
was a natural stratum of rock, that projected many feet 


336 


THE PIONEERS. 


beyond the base of the pile. Immediately in front of the 
recess, or cave, was a little terrace, partly formed by nat- 
ure, and partly by the earth that had been carelessly thrown 
aside by the laborers. The mountain fell off precipitously 
in front of the terrace, and the approach by its sides, under 
the ridge of the rocks, was difficult and a little dangerous. 
The whole was wild, rude, and apparently incomplete : for, 
while looking among the bushes, the Sheriff found the very 
implements that had been used in the work. 

When the Sheriff thought that his cousin had examined 
the spot sufficiently, he asked solemnly — 

Judge Temple, are you satisfied?’’ 

‘‘Perfectly, that there is something mysterious and per- 
plexing in this business. It is a secret spot, and cunningly 
devised, Richard; yet I see no symptoms of ore.” 

“Do you expect, sir, to find gold and silver lying like 
pebbles on the surface of the earth? dollars and dimes 
ready coined to your hands! No, no — the treasure must 
be sought after to be won. But let them mine; I shall 
countermine.” 

The Judge took an accurate survey of the place, and 
noted in his memorandum book such marks as were neces- 
sary to find it again, in the event of Richard’s absence; 
when the cousins returned to their horses. 

On reaching the highway they separated, the Sheriff to 
summon twenty -four “good men and true,” to attend as 
the inquest of the county, on the succeeding Monday, when 
Marmaduke held his stated court of “common pleas and 
general sessions of the peace,” and the Judge to return, 
musing deeply on what he had seen and heard in the course 
of the morning. 

When the horse of the latter reached the spot where the 
highway fell towards the valley, the eye of Marmaduke 
rested, it is true, on the same scene that had, ten minutes 
before, been so soothing to the feelings of his daughter and 
her friend, as they emerged from the forest; but it rested 
in vacancy. He threw the reins to his sure-footed beast, 
and suffered the animal to travel at its own gait, while he 
soliloquized as follows : 


* THE PIONEERS. 


337 


“ There may be more in this than I at first supposed. I 
have suffered my feeling to blind my reason, in admitting 
an unknown youth in this manner to my dwelling; yet this 
is not the land of suspicion. I will have the Leather -stock- 
ing before me, and, by a few direct questions, extract the 
truth from the simple old man.” 

At that instant the Judge caught a glimpse of the figures 
of Elizabeth and Louisa, who were slowly descending the 
mountain, a short distance before him. He put spurs to 
his horse, and riding up to them, dismounted, and drove 
his steed along the narrow path. While the agitated 
parent was listening to the vivid description that his 
daughter gave of her recent danger, and her unexpected 
escape, all thoughts of mines, vested rights, and examina- 
tions were absorbed in emotion; and when the image of 
Natty again crossed his recollection, it was not as a lawless 
and depredating squatter, but as the preserver of his child. 


CHAPTEE XXX. 


The court awards it, and the law doth give it. 

Merchant of Venice. 

Eemarkable Pettibone, who had forgotten the wound 
received by her pride, in contemplation of the ease and 
comforts of her situation, and who still retained her station 
in the family of Judge Temple, was despatched to the 
humble dwelling which Eichard already styled The Eec- 
tory,’^ in attendance on Louisa, who was soon consigned to 
the arms of her father. 

In the meantime, Marmaduke and his daughter were 
closeted for more than an hour, nor shall we invade the 
sanctuary of parental love, by relating the conversation. 
When the curtain rises on the reader, the Judge is seen 
walking up and down the apartment, with a tender melan- 
choly in his air, and his child reclining on a settee, with a 
flushed cheek, and her dark eye seeming to float in crystals. 

“ It was a timely rescue ! it was, indeed, a timely rescue, 
my child ! ” cried the J udge. “ Then thou didst not desert 
thy friend, my noble Bess?” 

“I believe I may as well take the credit of fortitude,” 
said Elizabeth, though I much doubt if flight would have 
availed me anything, had I even courage to execute such an 
intention. But I thought not of the expedient.” 

Of what didst thou think, love? where did thy thoughts 
dwell most, at that fearful moment? ” 

The beast ! the beast ! ” cried Elizabeth, veiling her face 
with her hand: ^‘oh! I saw nothing, I thought of nothing 
but the beast. I tried to think of better things, but the 
horror was too glaring, the danger too much before my 
eyes.” 


338 


THE PIONEERS. 


339 


“Well, well, thou art safe, and we will converse no more 
on the unpleasant subject. I did not think such an animal 
yet remained in our forests j but they will stray far from 
their haunts when pressed by hunger, and — ’’ 

A loud knocking at the door of the apartment interrupted 
what he was about to utter, and he bid the applicant enter. 
The door was opened by Benjamin, who came in with a dis- 
contented air, as if he felt that he had a communication to 
make that would be out of season. 

“Here is Squire Doolittle below, sir,” commenced the 
major-domo. “He has been standing off and on in the 
door-yard, for the matter of a glass; and he has sum’mat 
on his mind that he wants to heave up, d’ye see ; but I tells 
him, says I, man, would you be coming aboard with your 
complaints, said I, when the J udge has gotten his own child, 
as it were, out of the jaws of a lion? But damn the bit of 
manners has the fellow, any more than if he was one of 
them Guineas down in the kitchen there; and so as he 
was sheering nearer, every stretch he made towards the 
house, I could do no better than to let your honor know 
that the chap was in the offing.” 

“He must have business of importance,” said Marma- 
duke; “something in relation to his office, most probably, 
as the court sits so shortly.” 

“Ay, ay, you have it, sir,” cried Benjamin, “it’s sum’mat 
about a complaint that he has to make of the old Leather- 
stocking, who, to my judgment, is the better man of the 
two. It’s a very good sort of a man is this Master Bumppo, 
and he has a way with a spear, all the same as if he was 
brought up at the bow oar of the captain’s barge, or was 
born with a boat-hook in his hand.” 

“Against the Leather-stocking! ” cried Elizabeth, rising 
from her reclining posture. 

“ Best easy, my child; some trifle, I pledge you; I believe 
I am already acquainted with its import. Trust me, Bess, 
your champion shall be safe in my care. Show Mr. Doo- 
little in, Benjamin.” 

Miss Temple appeared satisfied with this assurance, but 
fastened her dark eyes on the person of the architect, who 


340 


THE PIONEERS. 


profited by the permission and instantly made his appear- 
ance. 

All the impatience of Hiram seemed to vanish the instant 
he entered the apartment. After saluting the Judge and 
his daughter, he took the chair to which Marmaduke pointed, 
and sat for a minute, composing his straight black hair, 
with a gravity of demeanor that was intended to do honor 
to his official station. At length he said — 

“ It’s likely, from what I hear, that Miss Temple had a 
pretty narrow chance with the painters, on the mountain.” 

Marmaduke made a gentle inclination of his head, by 
way of assent, but continued silent. 

I s’pose the law gives a bounty on the scalps,” continued 
Hiram, ‘‘in which case the Leather-stocking will make a 
good job on’t.” 

“ It shall be my care to see that he is rewarded,” returned 
the Judge. 

“Yes, yes, I rather guess that nobody hereabouts doubts 
the Judge’s generosity. Does he know whether the Sheriff 
has fairly made up his mind to have a reading-desk or a 
deacon’s pew under the pulpit? ” 

“I have not heard my cousin speak on that subject, 
lately,” replied Marmaduke. 

“I think it’s likely that we will have a pretty dull court 
on’t, from what I can gather. I hear that Jotham Riddel 
and the man who bought his betterments, have agreed to 
leave their difference to men, and I don’t think there’ll be 
more than two civil cases in the calendar.” 

“I am glad of it,” said the Judge; “nothing gives me 
more pain than to see my settlers wasting their time and 
substance in the unprofitable struggles of the law. I hope 
it may prove true, sir.” 

“I rather guess ’twill be left out to men,” added Hiram, 
with an air equally balanced between doubt and assurance, 
but which Judge Temple understood to mean certainty; “I 
some think that I am appointed a referee in the case myself ; 
Jotham as much as told me that he should take me. The 
defendant, I guess, means to take Captain Hollister, and we 
two have partly agreed on Squire Jones for the third man.” 


THE PIONEERS. 341 

“Are there any criminals to be tried? asked Marma- 
duke. 

“There^s the counterfeiters,” returned the magistrate; 
“as they were caught in the fact, I think it likely that 
they’ll be indicted, in which case it’s probable they’ll be 
tried.” 

“Certainly, sir, I had forgotten those men. There are 
no more, I hope.” 

“ Why, there is a threaten to come forrad with an assault, 
that happened at the last independence day; but I’m not 
sartain that the law’ll take hold on’t. There was plaguy 
hard words passed, but whether they struck or not I haven’t 
heard. There’s some folks talk of a deer or two being 
killed out of^ season, over on the west side of the Patent, 
by some of the squatters on the ‘Fractions.’ ” 

“Let a complaint be made, by all means,” cried the 
Judge; “I am determined to see the law executed to the 
letter, on all such depredators.” 

“Why, yes, I thought the Judge was of that mind; I 
come partly on such a business myself.” 

“ You ! ” exclaimed Marmaduke, comprehending in an in- 
stant how completely he had been caught by the other’s 
cunning; “and what have you to say, sir?” 

“ I some think that Natty Bumppo has the carcase of a 
deer in his hut at this moment, and a considerable part of 
my business was to get a search-warrant to examine.” 

“You think, sir! do you know that the law exacts an 
oath, before I can issue such a precept? The habitation of 
a citizen is not to be idly invaded on light suspicion.” 

“ I rather think I can swear to it myself, ” returned the 
immovable Hiram; “and Jotham is in the street, and as 
good as ready to come in and make oath to the same thing.” 

“Then issue the warrant thyself; thou art a magistrate, 
Mr. Doolittle; why trouble me with the matter?” 

“Why, seeing it’s the first complaint under the law, and 
knowing the Judge set his heart on the thing, I thought it 
best that the authority to search should come from himself. 
Besides, as I’m much in the woods, among the timber, I 
don’t altogether like making an enemy of the Leather-stock- 


342 


THE PIONEERS. 


ing. Now the Judge has a weight in the county that puts 
him above fear.” 

Miss Temple turned her face to the callous architect, as 
she said — 

“ And what has any honest person to dread from so kind 
a man as Bumppo? ” 

“Why, it’s as easy, miss, to pull a rifle-trigger on a 
magistrate as on a painter. But if the Judge don’t con- 
clude to issue the warrant, I must go home and make it out 
myself.” 

“ I have not refused your application, sir, ” said Marma- 
duke, perceiving at once that his reputation for impartiality 
was at stake ; “ go into my office, Mr. Doolittle, where I will 
join you, and sign the warrant.” 

Judge Temple stopped the remonstrances which Elizabeth 
was about to utter, after Hiram had withdrawn, by laying 
his hand on her mouth, and saying — 

“ It is more terriflc in sound than frightful in reality, my 
child. I suppose that the Leather-stocking has shot a deer, 
for the season is nearly over, and you say that he was hunt- 
ing with his dogs when he came so timely to your assistance. 
But it will be only to examine his cabin, and find the animal, 
when you can pay the penalty out of your own pocket, Bess. 
Nothing short of the twelve dollars and a half will satisfy 
this harpy, I perceive; and surely my reputation as a judge 
is worth that trifle.” 

Elizabeth was a good deal pacified with this assurance, 
and suffered her father to leave her, to fulfil his promise to 
Hiram. 

When Marmaduke left his office after executing his disa- 
greeable duty, he met Oliver Edwards, walking up the 
gravelled walk in front of the mansion-house, with great 
strides, and with a face agitated by feeling. On seeing 
Judge Temple, the youth turned aside, and with a warmth 
in his manner that was not often exhibited to Marmaduke, 
he cried — 

“ I congratulate you, sir, from the bottom of my soul I 
congratulate you. Judge Temple. Oh! it would have been 
too horrid to have recollected for a moment! I have just 


THE PIONEERS. 


343 


left the hut, where, after showing me his scalps, old Natty 
told me of the escape of the ladies, as a thing to be mentioned 
last. Indeed, indeed, sir, no words of mine can express half 
of what I have felt ’’ — the youth paused a moment, as if 
suddenly recollecting that he was overstepping prescribed 
limits, and concluded with a good deal of embarrassment 

— “ what I have felt at this danger to Miss — Grant, and 

— and your daughter, sir.” 

But the heart of Marmaduke was too much softened to 
admit of his cavilling at trifles, and without regarding the 
confusion of the other, he replied — 

“I thank thee, thank thee, Oliver; as thou sayest, it is 
almost too horrid to be remembered. But come, let us 
hasten to Bess, for Louisa has already gone to the Kectory.” 

The young man sprang forward, and throwing open a door, 
barely permitted the J udge to precede him, when he was in 
the presence of Elizabeth in a moment. 

The cold distance that often crossed the demeanor of the 
heiress, in her intercourse with Edwards, was now entirely 
banished, and two hours were passed by the party, in the 
free, unembarrassed, and confiding manner of old and es- 
teemed friends. Judge Temple had forgotten the suspi- 
cions engendered during his morning’s ride, and the youth 
and maiden conversed, laughed, and were sad by turns, as 
impulse directed. At length Edwards, after repeating his 
intention to do so for the third time, left the mansion-house 
to go to the Rectory on a similar errand of friendship. 

During this short period, a scene was passing at the hut 
that completely frustrated the benevolent intentions of 
Judge Temple in favor of the Leather-stocking, and at 
once destroyed the short-lived harmony between the youth 
and Marmaduke. 

When Hiram Doolittle had obtained his search-warrant, 
his first business was to procure a proper officer to see it 
executed. The Sheriff was absent, summoning in person 
the grand inquest for the county; the deputy, who resided 
in the village, was riding on the same errand, in a different 
part of the settlement; and the regular constable of the 
township had been selected for his station from motives of 


344 


THE PIONEERS. 


charity, being lame of a leg. Hiram intended to accompany 
the officer as a spectator, but he felt no very strong desire 
to bear the brunt of the battle. It was, however, Saturday, 
and the sun was already turning the shadows of the pines 
towards the east; on the morrow the conscientious magis- 
trate could not engage in such an expedition at the peril of 
his soul; and long before Monday, the venison, and all 
vestiges of the death of the deer, might be secreted or 
destroyed. Happily, the lounging form of Billy Kirby met 
his eye, and Hiram, at all times fruitful in similar expedi- 
ents, saw his way clear at once. Jotham, who was associ- 
ated in the whole business, and who had left the mountain 
in consequence of a summons from his coadjutor, but who 
failed, equally with Hiram, in the unfortunate particular 
of nerve, was directed to summon the wood-chopper to the 
dwelling of the magistrate. 

When Billy appeared, he was very kindly invited to take 
the chair in which he had already seated himself, and was 
treated in all respects as if he were an equal. 

“Judge Temple has set his heart on putting the deer law 
in force, ” said Hiram, after the preliminary civilities were 
over, “ and a complaint has been laid before him that a deer 
has been killed. He has issued a search-warrant, and sent 
for me to get somebody to execute it.” 

Kirby, who had no idea of being excluded from the 
deliberative part of any affair in which he was engaged, 
drew up his bushy head in a reflecting attitude, and, after 
musing a moment, replied by asking a few questions. 

“The Sheriff is..gone out of the way?” 

“Kot to be found.” 

“And his deputy too? ” 

“Both gone on the skirts of the Patent.” 

“But I saw the constable hobbling about town an hour 
ago.” 

“Yes, yes,” said Hiram with a coaxing smile and know- 
ing nod, “but this business wants a man — not a cripple.” 

“ Why,” said Billy, laughing, “ will the chap make flght? ” . 

“ He’s a little quarrelsome at times, and thinks he’s the 
best man in the country at rough and tumble.” 


THE PIONEERS. 


345 


I heard him brag once,” said Jotham, “that there wasn’t 
a man ’twixt the Mohawk Flats and the Pennsylvany line 
that was his match at a close hug.” 

“Did you?” exclaimed Kirby, raising his huge frame in 
his seat, like a lion stretching in his lair; “I rather guess 
he never felt a Varmounter’s knuckles on his backbone. 
But who is the chap?” 

“ Why, ” said J otham, “ it’s — ” 

“ It’s ag’in law to tell,” interrupted Hiram, “unless you’ll 
qualify to sarve. You’d be the very man to take him. Bill; 
and I’ll make out a special deputation in a minute, when 
you will get the fees.” 

“What’s the fees? ” said Kirby, laying his large hand on 
the leaves of a statute-book, that Hiram had opened in order 
to give dignity to his office, which he turned over, in his 
rough manner, as if he were reflecting on a subject about 
which he had, in truth, already decided; “will they pay 
a man for a broken head?” 

“They’ll be something handsome,” said Hiram. 

“Damn the fees,” said Billy, again laughing; “does the 
fellow think he’s the best wrestler in the county, though? 
what’s his inches?” 

“He’s taller than you be,” said Jotham, “and one of the 
biggest — ” 

Talkers, he was about to add, but the impatience of 
Kirby interrupted him. The wood-chopper had nothing 
fierce or even brutal in his appearance; the character of 
his expression was that of good-natured vanity. It was 
evident he prided himself on the powers of the physical 
man, like all who have nothing better to boast of; and, 
stretching out his broad hand, with the palm downwards, 
he said, keeping his eyes fastened on his own bones and 
sinews — 

“Come, give us a touch of the book. I’ll swear, and 
you’ll see that I’m a man to keep my oath.” 

Hiram did not give the wood-chopper time to change his 
mind, but the oath was administered without unnecessary 
delay. So soon as this preliminary was completed, the 
three worthies left the house, and proceeded by the nearest 


346 


THE PIONEERS. 


road towards the hut. They had reached the bank of the 
lake, and were diverging from the route of the highway, 
before Kirby recollected that he was now entitled to the 
privilege of the initiated, and repeated his question as to 
the name of the offender. 

Which way, which way. Squire?” exclaimed the hardy 
wood-chopper ; I thought it was to search a house that you 
wanted me, not the woods. There is nobody lives on this 
side of the lake, for six miles, unless you count the Leather- 
stocking and old John for settlers. Come, tell me the 
chap’s name, and I warrant me that I lead you to his clear- 
ing by a straighter path than this, for I know every sapling 
that grows within two miles of Templeton.” 

“This is the way,” said Hiram, pointing forward and 
quickening his step, as if apprehensive that Kirby would 
desert, “and Bumppo is the man.” 

Kirby stopped short, and looked from one of his compan- 
ions to the other in astonishment. He then burst into a 
loud laugh, and cried — 

“Who? Leather-stocking! he may brag of his aim and 
his ride, for he has the best of both, as I will own myself, 
for sin’ he shot the pigeon I knock under to him; but for a 
wrestle ! why, I would take the creater between my dnger 
and thumb, and tie him in a bow-knot around my neck for 
a Barcelony. The man is seventy, and was never anything 
particular for strength.” 

“He’s a deceiving man,” said Hiram, “like all the 
hunters; he is stronger than he seems; besides, he has 
his ride.” 

“That for his ride!” cried Billy: “he’d no more hurt 
me with his ride than he’d dy. He is a harmless creater, 
and I must say that I think he has as good right to kill deer 
as any man on the Patent. It’s his main support, and this 
is a free country, where a man is privileged to follow any 
calling he likes.” 

“According to that doctrine,” said Jotham, “anybody 
may shoot a deer.” 

“This is the man’s calling, I tell you,” returned Kirby, 
“and the law was never made for such as he.” 


THE PIONEERS. 


347 


‘^The law was made for all,” observed Hiram, who began 
to think that the danger was likely to fall to his own share, 
notwithstanding his management; -“and the law is particu- 
lar in noticing par jury.” 

“See here. Squire Doolittle,” said the reckless wood- 
chopper; “I don’t care the valie of a beetlering for you 
and your parjury too. But as I have come so far. I’ll go 
down and have a talk with the old man, and maybe we’ll 
fry a steak of the deer together.” 

“Well, if you can get in peaceably, so much the better,” 
said the magistrate. “To my notion, strife is very un- 
popular; I prefar, at all times, clever conduct to an ugly 
temper.” 

As the whole party moved at a great pace, they soon 
reached the hut, where Hiram thought it prudent to halt 
on the outside of the top of the fallen pine, which formed a 
chevaux-de-frise, to defend the approach to the fortress, on 
the side next the village. The delay was little relished by 
Kirby, who clapped his hands to his mouth, and gave a 
loud halloo that brought the dogs out of their kennel, and, 
almost at the same instant, the scantily covered head of 
Natty from the door. 

“Lie down, old fool,” cried the hunter; “do you think 
there’s more painters about you?” 

“Ha! Leather-stocking, I’ve an arrand with you,” cried 
Kirby; “here’s the good people of the state have been 
writing you a small letter, and they’ve hired me to ride 
post.” 

“What would you have with me, Billy Kirby?” said 
Natty, stepping across his threshold, and raising his hand 
over his eyes to screen them from the rays of the setting 
sun, while he took a survey of his visitor. “ I’ve no land 
to clear; and Heaven knows I would set out six trees afore 
I would cut down one. Down, Hector, I say; into your 
kennel with ye.” 

“Would you, old boy?” roared Billy; “then so much 
the better for me. But I must do my arrand. Here’s a 
letter for you. Leather-stocking. If you can read it, it’s 
all well, and if you can’t, here’s Squire Doolittle at hand. 


848 


THE PIONEEKS. 


to let you know what it means. It seems you mistook the 
twentieth of July for the first of August, that^s all.” 

By this time Natty had discovered the lank person of 
Hiram, drawn up under the cover of a high stump; and 
all that was complacent in his manner instantly gave way 
to marked distrust and dissatisfaction. He placed his head 
within the door of his hut, and said a few words in an 
undertone, when he again appeared, and continued — 

“ I Ve nothing for ye ; so away, afore the evil one tempts 
me to do you harm. I owe you no spite, Billy Kirby, and 
what for should you trouble an old man, who has done you 
no harm?” 

Kirby advanced through the top of the pine, to within a 
few feet of the hunter, where he seated himself on the end 
of a log with great composure, and began to examine the 
nose of Hector, with whom he was familiar, from their 
frequently meeting in the woods, where he sometimes fed 
the dog from his own basket of provisions. 

^‘YouVe outshot me, and I’m not ashamed to say it,” 
said the wood-chopper; “but I don’t owe you a grudge for 
that. Natty! though it seems that you’ve shot once too 
often, for the story goes that you’ve killed a buck.” 

“I’ve fired but twice to-day, and both times at the 
painters,” returned the Leather-stocking; “see, here are 
the scalps ! I was just going in with them to the Judge’s 
to ask the bounty.” 

While Natty was speaking, he tossed the ears to Kirby, 
who continued playing with them, with a careless air, hold- 
ing them to the dogs, and laughing at their movements when 
they scented the unusual game. 

But Hiram, emboldened by the advance of the deputed 
constable, now ventured to approach also, and took up the 
discourse with the air of authority that became his commis- 
sion. His first measure was to read the warrant aloud, 
taking care to give due emphasis to the most material parts, 
and concluding with the name of the Judge in very audible 
and distinct tones. 

“Did Marmaduke Temple put his name to that bit of 
paper?” said Natty, shaking his head; “well, well, that 


THE PIONEERS. 


349 


man loves the new ways, and his betterments, and his lands," 
afore his own flesh and blood. But I won’t mistrust the 
gal ; she has an eye like a full-grown buck ! poor thing, she 
didn’t choose her father, and can’t help it. I know but 
little of the law, Mr. Doolittle ; what is to be done, now 
you’ve read your commission? ” 

“Oh! it’s nothing but form, Katty,” said Hiram, endeav- 
oring to assume a friendly aspect. “Let’s go in, and talk 
the thing over in reason; I dare to say that the money can 
be easily found, and I partly conclude, from what passed, 
that Judge Temple will pay it himself.” 

The old hunter had kept a keen eye on the movements of 
his three visitors, from the beginning, and had maintained 
his position, just without the threshold of his cabin, with 
a determined manner that showed he was not to be easily 
driven from his post. When Hiram drew nigher, as if 
expecting his proposition would be accepted, Hatty lifted 
his hand, and motioned for him to retreat. 

“Haven’t I told you more than once, not to tempt me?” 
he said. “I trouble no man; why can’t the law leave me 
to myself? Go back — go back, and tell your Judge that 
he may keep his bounty; but I won’t have his wasty ways 
brought into my hut.” 

This offer, however, instead of appeasing the curiosity of 
Hiram, seemed to inflame it the more; while Kirby cried — 

“Well, that’s fair. Squire; he forgives the county his 
demand, and the county should forgive him the fine; it’s 
what I call an even trade, and should be concluded on the 
spot. I like quick dealings, and what’s fair ’twixt man 
and man.” 

“I demand entrance into this house,” said Hiram, sum- 
moning all the dignity he could muster to his assistance, 
“ in the name of the people ; and by virtue of this warrant, 
and of my office, and with this peace-officer.” 

“Stand back, stand back. Squire, and don’t tempt me,” 
said the Leather-stocking, motioning for him to retire, with 
great earnestness. 

“Stop us at your peril,” continued Hiram. “Billy! 
Jotham! close up — I want testimony.” 


350 


THE PIONEEKS. 


Hiram had mistaken the mild but determined air of ' 
Natty for submission, and had already put his foot on the 
threshold to enter, when he was seized unexpectedly by his 
shoulders, and hurled over the little bank towards the lake, 
to the distance of twenty feet. The suddenness of the 
movement, and the unexpected display of strength on the 
part of Natty, created a momentary astonishment in his 
invaders that silenced all noises; but at the next instant ! 
Billy Kirby gave vent to his mirth in peals of laughter, 
that he seemed to heave up from his very soul. 

“ Well done, old stub! ” he shouted: ‘‘the Squire know’d 
you better than I did. Come, come, here’s a green spot; 
take it out like men, while Jotham and I see fair play.” 

“William Kirby, I order you to do your duty,” cried 
Hiram, from under the bank; “seize that man; I order you 
to seize him in the name of the people.” 

But the Leather-stocking now assumed a more threaten- 
ing attitude ; his rifle was in his hand, and its muzzle was 
directed towards the wood-chopper. 

“Stand off, I bid ye,” said Natty; “you know my aim, 
Billy Kirby; I don’t crave your blood, but mine and your’n 
both shall turn this green grass red, afore you put foot into 
the hut.” 

While the affair appeared trifling, the wood-chopper 
seemed disposed to take sides with the weaker party; but 
when the fire-arms were introduced, his manner very sensi- 
bly changed. He raised his large frame from the log, and 
facing the hunter with an open front, he replied — 

“I didn’t come here as your enemy. Leather-stocking; 
but I don’t value the hollow piece of iron in your hand so 
much as a broken axe-helve ; so. Squire, say the word, and 
keep within the law, and we’ll soon see who’s the best man 
of the two.” 

But no magistrate was to be seen ! The instant the rifle 
was produced Hiram and Jotham vanished; and when the 
wood-chopper bent his eyes about him in surprise at receiv- 
ing no answer, he discovered their retreating figures moving 
towards the village at a rate that sufiiciently indicated that 
they had not only calculated the velocity of a rifle-bullet, 
but also its probable range. 


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T98 


•SHaaMOia; 3 hx 


THE PIONEERS. 


353 


his auditor; ^^it may turn out an ugly business. It seems 
that the old man^has been out in the hills, and has shot a 
buck this morning, and that, you know, is a criminal matter 
in the eyes of Judge Temple.’’ 

'' Oh ! he has, has he ? ” said Edwards, averting his face 
to conceal the color that collected in his sun-burnt cheek. 

Well, if that be all, he must even pay the fine.” 

^'It’s five pounds currency,” said the lawyer; could 
Natty muster so much money at once ? ” 

“ Could he ! ” cried the youth. I am not rich, Mr. Lip- 
pet ; far from it — I am poor, and. I have been hoarding 
my salary for a purpose that lies near my heart ; but before 
that old man should lie one hour in a jail, I would spend 
the last cent to prevent it. Besides, he has killed two pan- 
thers, and the bounty will discharge the fine many times 
over.” 

“ Yes, yes,” said the lawyer, rubbing his hands together, 
with an expression of pleasure that had no artifice about 
it ; we shall make it out ; I see plainly we shall make it 
out.” 

Make what out, sir ? I must beg an explanation.” 

Why, killing the buck is but a small matter compared 
to what took place this afternoon,” continued Mr. Lippet, 
with a confidential and friendly air, that insensibly won 
upon the youth little as he liked the man. It seems that 
a complaint was made of the fact, and a suspicion that there 
was venison in the hut was sworn to, all which is provided 
for in the statute, when Judge Temple granted a search- 
warrant — ” 

A search-warrant ! ” echoed Edwards, in a voice of hor- 
ror, and with a face that should have been again averted to 
conceal its paleness ; and how much did they discover ? 
What did they see ? ” 

“ They saw old Bumppo’s rifie ; and that is a sight which 
will quiet most men’s curiosity in the woods.” 

Did they ! did they ! ” shouted Edwards, bursting into 
a convulsive laugh ; so the old hero beat them back ! he 
beat them back ! did he ? ” 

The lawyer fastened his eyes in astonishment on the 
2a 


354 


THE PIONEERS. 


youth, but as his wonder gave way to the thoughts that 
were commonly uppermost in his mind, he replied — 

It’s no laughing matter, let me tell you, sir ; the forty 
dollars of bounty, and your six months of salary, will be 
much reduced before you can get the matter fairly settled. 
Assaulting a magistrate in the^ execution of his duty, and 
menacing a constable with fire-arms at the same time, is a 
pretty serious affair, and is punishable with both fine and 
imprisonment.” 

“ Imprisonment ! ” repeated Oliver; ^^mprison the Leather- 
stocking! no, no, sir; it would bring the old man to his 
grave. They shall never imprison the Leather-stocking.” 

‘‘ Well, Mr. Edwards,” said Lippet, dropping all reserve 
from his manner, “you are called a curious man ; but if you 
can tell me how a jury is to be prevented from finding a 
verdict of guilty, if this case comes fairly before them, and 
the proof is clear, I shall acknowledge that you know more 
law than I do, who have had a license in my pocket for 
three years.” 

By this time the reason of Edwards was getting the as- 
cendency of his feelings, and as he began to see the real 
difficulties of the case, he listened more readily to the con- 
versation of the lawyer. The ungovernable emotion that 
escaped the youth, in the first moments of his surprise, en- 
tirely passed away ; and although it was still evident that 
he continued to be much agitated by what he had heard, he f 
succeeded in yielding forced attention to the advice which 
the other uttered. 

Notwithstanding the confused state of his mind, Oliver 
soon discovered that most of the expedients of the la’wyer 
were grounded in cunning, and plans that required a time to 
execute them that neither suited his disposition nor his neces- 
sities. After, however, giving Mr. Lippet to understand that I 
he retained him in the event of a trial, an assurance that ] 
at once satisfied the lawyer, they parted, one taking his i 
course, with a deliberate tread, in the direction of the little ? 
building that had a wooden sign over its door, with “Ches- 
ter Lippet, Attorney at Law,” painted on it ; and the other 
pacing over the ground with enormous strides toward the 


THE PIONEERS. 


855 


mansion-house. We shall take leave of the attorney for the 
present, and direct the attention of the reader to his client. 

When Edwards entered the hall, whose enormous doors 
were opened to the passage of the air of a mild evening, he 
found Benjamin engaged in some of his domestic avocations, 
and in a hurried voice inquired where J udge Temple was to 
be found. 

Why, the Judge has stept into his office, with that mas- 
ter carpenter. Mister Doolittle; but Miss Lizzy is in that 
there parlor. I say. Master Oliver, we’d like to have had a 
bad job of that panther, or painter’s work — some calls it 
one, and some calls it t’other — but I know little of the 
beast, seeing that it is not of British growth. I said as 
much as that it was in the hills the last winter ; for I heard 
it moaning on the lake-shore one evening in the fall, when I 
was pulling down from the fishing-point in the skiff. Had 
the animal come into open water, where a man could see 
'where and how to work his vessel, I would have engaged 
the thing myself; but looking aloft among the trees is all 
the same to me as standing on the deck of one ship, and 
looking at another vessel’s tops. I never can tell one rope 
from another — ” 

^^Well, well,” interrupted Edwards; “I must see Miss 
Temple.” 

And you shall see her, sir,” said the steward ; she’s in 
this here room. Lord, Master Edwards, what a loss she’d 
have been to the Judge! Dam’me if I know where he 
would have gotten such another daughter ; that is, full 
grown, d’ye see. I say, sir, this Master Bumppo is a worthy 
man, and seems to have a handy way with him, with fire- 
arms and boat-hooks. I’m his friend. Master Oliver, and 
he and you may both set me down as the same.” 

We may want your friendship, my worthy fellow,” cried 
Edwards, squeezing his hand convulsively : we may want 
your friendship, in which case you shall know it.” 

Without waiting to hear the earnest reply that Benjamin 
meditated, the youth extricated himself from the vigorous 
grasp of the steward, and entered the parlor. 

Elizabeth was alone, and still reclining on the sofa, where 


356 


THE PIONEERS. 


we last left her. A hand, which exceeded all that the in- 
genuity of art could model, in shape and color, veiled her 
eyes ; and the maiden was sitting as if in deep communion 
with herself. Struck by the attitude and loveliness of the 
form that met his eye, the young man checked his impa- 
tience, and approached her with respect and caution. 

^^Miss Temple — Miss Temple,” he said, I hope I do 
not intrude ; but I am anxious for an interview, if it be only 
for a moment.” 

Elizabeth raised her face, and exhibited her dark eyes 
swimming in moisture. 

Is it you, Edwards ? ” she said, with a sweetness in her 
voice, and a softness in her air, that she often used to her 
father, but which, from its novelty to himself, thrilled on 
every nerve of the youth ; how left you our poor Louisa ? ” 
She is with her father, happy and grateful,” said Oliver. 
‘^1 never witnessed more feeling than she manifested, when 
I ventured to express my pleasure at her escape. Miss 
Temple, when I first heard of your horrid situation, my 
feelings were too powerful for utterance ; and I did not 
properly find my tongue, until the walk to Mr. Grant’s had 
given me time to collect myself. I believe — I do believe, 
I acquitted myself better there, for Miss Grant even wept 
at my silly speeches.” 

For a moment Elizabeth did not reply, but again veiled 
her eyes with her hand. The feeling that caused the action, 
however, soon passed away, and, raising her face again to 
his gaze, she continued, with a smile — 

Your friend, the Leather-stocking, has now become my 
friend, Edwards ; I have been thinking how I can best serve 
him ; perhaps you, who know his habits and his wants so 
well, can tell me — ” 

I can,” cried the youth, with an impetuosity that startled 
his companion — can, and may Heaven reward you for 
the wish. Natty has been so imprudent as to forget the 
law, and has this day killed a deer. Nay, I believe I must 
share in the crime and the penalty, for I was an accomplice 
throughout. A complaint has been made to your father, 
and he has granted a search — ” 


THE PIONEERS. 


357 


I know it all/’ interrupted Elizabeth ; ‘‘ I know it all. 
The forms of the law must be complied with, however ; the 
search must be made, the deer found, and the penalty paid. 
But I must retort your own question. Have you lived so 
long in our family not to know us ? Look at me, Oliver 
Edwards. Do I appear like one who would permit the man 
that has just saved her life to linger in a jail for so small a 
sum as this fine ? No, no, sir ; my father is a judge, but 
he is a man and a Christian. It is all understood, and no 
harm shall follow.” 

What a load of apprehension do your declarations re- 
move!” exclaimed Edwards. “He shall not be disturbed 
again ! Your father will protect him ! I have your assur- 
ance, Miss Temple, that he will, and I must believe it.” 

“ You may have his own, Mr. Edwards,” returned Eliza- 
beth, “ for here he comes to make it.” 

But the appearance of Marmaduke, who entered the apart- 
ment, contradicted the fiattering anticipations of his daugh- 
ter. His brow was contracted, and his manner disturbed. 
Neither Elizabeth nor the youth spoke ; but the Judge was 
allowed to pace once or twice across the room without inter- 
ruption, when he cried — 

“ Our plans are defeated, girl ; the obstinacy of the Leather- 
stocking has brought down the indignation of the law on his 
head, and it is now out of my power to avert it.” 

“How? in what manner?” cried Elizabeth; “the fine is 
nothing; surely — ” 

“ I did not — I could not anticipate that an old, a friend- 
less man like him would dare to oppose the officers of jus- 
tice,” interrupted the Judge. “I supposed that he would 
submit to the search, when the fine could have been paid, 
and the law would have been appeased; but now he will 
have to meet its rigor.” 

“ And what must the punishment be, sir ? ” asked Edwards, 
struggling to speak with firmness. 

Marmaduke turned quickly to the spot where the youth 
had withdrawn, and exclaimed — 

“ Ydu here ! I did not observe you. I know not what 
it will be, sir; it is not usual for a judge to decide, until 


358 


THE PIONEERS. 


he has heard the testimony, and the jury have convicted. 
Of one thing, however, you may be assured, Mr. Edwards ; 
it shall be whatever the law demands, notwithstanding any 
momentary weakness I may have exhibited, because the 
luckless man has been of such eminent service to my 
daughter.’^ 

“No one, I believe, doubts the sense of justice which 
Judge Temple entertains ! ’’ returned Edwards bitterly. 
“But let us converse calmly, sir. Will not the years, the 
habits, nay, the ignorance of my old friend, avail him any- 
thing against this charge ? ” 

“ Ought they ? They may extenuate, but can they ac- 
quit ? Would any society be tolerable, young man, where 
the ministers of justice are to be opposed by men armed with 
rifles ? Is it for this that I have tamed the wilderness ? 

“Had you tamed the beasts that so lately threatened, 
the life of Miss Temple, sir, your arguments would apply 
better.’’ 

“ Edwards ! ” exclaimed Elizabeth — 

“Peace, my child,” interrupted the father; “the youth 
is unjust ; but I have not given him cause. I overlook thy 
remark, Oliver, for I know thee to be the friend of Natty, 
and zeal in his behalf has overcome thy discretion.” 

“ Yes, he is my friend,” cried Edwards, “ and I glory in 
the title. He is simple, unlettered, even ignorant; preju- 
diced, perhaps, though I feel that his opinion of the world 
is too true ; but he has a heart. Judge Temple, that would 
atone for a thousand faults ; he knows his friends, and never 
deserts them, even if it be his dog.” 

“ This is a good character, Mr. Edwards,” returned Mar- 
maduke, mildly ; “ but I have never been so fortunate as to 
secure his esteem, for to me he has been uniformly repul- 
sive ; yet I have endured it, as an old man’s whim. How- 
ever, when he appears before me, as his judge, he shall find 
that his former conduct shall not aggravate, any more than 
his recent services shall extenuate, his crime.” 

“ Crime ! ” echoed Edwards ; “ is it a crime to drive a pry- 
ing miscreant from his door ? Crime ! oh, no, sir ; if there 
be a criminal involved in this affair, it is not he.” 


THE PIONEERS. 


359 


And wlio may it be, sir ? ” asked Judge Temple, facing the 
agitated youth, his features settled to their usuaf composure. 

This appeal was more than the young man could bear. 
Hitherto he had been deeply agitated by his emotions ; but 
now the volcano burst its boundaries. 

Who ! and this to me ! ” he cried ; “ ask your own con- 
science, Judge Temple. Walk to that door, sir, and look 
out upon the valley, that placid lake, and those dusky moun- 
tains, and say to your own heart, if heart you have. Whence 
came these riches, this vale, those hills, and why am I their 
owner ? I should think, sir, that the appearance of Mohe- 
gan and the Leather-stocking, stalking through the country, 
impoverished and forlorn, would wither your sight.” 

Marmaduke heard this burst of passion, at first, with deep 
amazement; but when the youth had ended, he beckoned 
to his impatient daughter for silence, and replied — 

‘‘ Oliver Edwards, thou forgettest in whose presence thou 
standest. I have heard, young man, that thou claimest 
descent from the native owners of the soil ; but surely thy 
education has been given thee to no effect, if it has not 
taught thee the validity of the claims that have transferred 
the title to the whites. These lands are mine by the very 
grants of thy ancestry, if thou art so descended; and I 
appeal to Heaven for a testimony of the uses I have put 
them to. After this language, we must separate. I have 
too long sheltered thee in my dwelling ; but the time has 
arrived when thou must quit it. Come to my office, and I 
will discharge the debt I owe thee. Neither shall thy pres- 
ent intemperate language mar thy future fortunes, if thou 
wilt hearken to the advice of one who is by many years 
thy senior.” 

The ungovernable feeling that caused the violence of the 
youth had passed away, and he stood gazing after the retir- 
ing figure of Marmaduke, with a vacancy in his eye that 
denoted the absence of his mind. At length he recollected 
himself, and, turning his head slowly around the apartment, 
he beheld Elizabeth, still seated on the sofa, but with her 
head dropped on her bosom, and her face again concealed 
by her hands. 


360 


THE PIONEERS. 


Miss Temple/’ he said — all violence had left his man- 
ner — Miss Temple — I have forgotten myself — forgotten 
you. You have heard what your father has decreed, and 
this night I leave here. With you, at least, I would part 
in amity.” 

Elizabeth slowly raised her face, across which a momen- 
tary expression of sadness stole ; but as she left her seat, 
her dark eyes lighted with their usual fire, her cheek fiushed 
to burning, and her whole air seemed to belong to another 
nature. 

“I forgive you, Edwards, and my father will forgive 
you,” she said, when she reached the door. You do not 
know us, but the time may come when your opinions shall 
change — ” 

Of you ! never ! ” interrupted the youth : I — ” 

I would speak, sir, and not listen. There is something in 
this affair that I do not comprehend ; but tell the Leather- 
stocking he has friends as well as judges in us. Do not 
let the old man experience unnecessary uneasiness at this 
* rupture. It is impossible that you could increase his claims 
here;- neither shall they be diminished by anything you 
have said. Mr. Edwards, I wish you happiness, and warmer 
friends.” 

The youth would have spoken, but she vanished from the 
door so rapidly, that when he reached the hall her form 
was nowhere to be seen. He paused a moment, in stupor, 
and then, rushing from the house, instead of following Mar- 
maduke to his ^‘ofiice,” he took his way directly for the 
cabin of the hunters. 


CHAPTER XXXII. 


Who measured earth, described the starry spheres, 

And traced the long records of lunar years. 

Pope. 

Richard did not return from tlie exercise of liis official 
duties, until late in the evening of the following day. It 
had been one portion of his business to superintend the 
arrest of part of a gang of counterfeiters, that had, even 
at that early period, buried themselves in the woods, to 
manufacture their base coin, which they afterwards circu- 
lated from one end of the Union to the other. The expe- 
dition had been completely successful, and about midnight 
the Sheriff entered the village, at the head of a posse of 
deputies and constables, in the centre of whom rode, pin- 
ioned, four of the malefactors. At the gate of the mansion- 
house they separated, Mr. Jones directing his assistants to 
proceed with their charge to the county jail, while he pur- 
sued his own way up the gravelled walk, with the kind of 
self-satisfaction that a man of his organization would feel, 
who had really, for once, done a very clever thing. 

Holla ! Aggy ! shouted the Sheriff, when he reached 
the door ; where are you, you black dog ? will you keep 
me here in the dark all night ? Holla ! Aggy ! Brave ! 
Brave ! hoy, hoy — where have you got to. Brave ? Off his 
watch ! Everybody is asleep but myself ! poor I must keep 
my eyes open, that others may sleep in safety. Brave ! 
Brave ! Well, I will say this for the dog, lazy as he’s 
grown, that it is the first time I ever knew him let any 
one come to the door after dark, without having a smell 
to know whether it was an honest man or not. He could 
tell by his nose, almost as well as I could myself by look- 


362 


THE PIONEERS. 


ing at them. Holla! you Agamemnon! where are you? 
Oh, here comes the dog at last.’’ 

By this time the Sheriff had dismounted, and observed a 
form, which he supposed to be that of Brave, slowly creep- 
ing out of the kennel ; when, to his astonishment, it reared 
itself on two legs instead of four, and he was able to dis- 
tinguish, by the starlight, the curly head and dark visage 
of the negro. 

^^Ha! what the devil are you doing there, you black 
rascal ? ” he cried ; is it not hot enough for your Guinea 
blood in the house, this warm night, but you must drive out 
the poor dog and sleep in his straw ? ” 

By this time the boy was quite awake, and, with a blub- 
bering whine, he attempted to reply to his master. 

Oh ! masser Bichard ! niasser Bichard ! such a ting ! 
such a ting ! I neber tink a could ’appen ! neber tink he 
die ! Oh Lor-a-gor ! an’t bury — keep ’em till masser Bich- 
ard get back — got a grabe dug — ” 

Here the feelings of the negro completely got the mas- 
tery, and instead of making any intelligible explanation of 
the causes of his grief, he blubbered aloud. 

Eh ! what ! buried ! grave ! dead ! ” exclaimed Bichard, 
with a tremor in his voice ; “ nothing serious ? Nothing has 
happened to Benjamin, I hope ? I know he has been bilious ; 
but I gave him — ” 

Oh ! worser ’an dat ! worser ’an dat ! ” sobbed the negro. 

Oh ! de Lor ! Miss Lizzy an’ Miss Grant — walk — moun- 
tain — poor Bravy ! — kill a lady — painter — oh ! Lor, 
Lor! — Natty Bumppo — tare he troat open — come a see, 
Masser Bichard — here he be — here he be. ” 

As all this was perfectly inexplicable to the Sheriff, he 
was very glad to wait patiently until the black brought a 
lantern from the kitchen, when he followed Aggy to the 
kennel, where he beheld poor Brave, indeed, lying in his 
blood, stiff and cold, but decently covered with the great- 
coat of the negro. He was on the point of demanding an 
explanation; but the grief of the black, who had fallen 
asleep on his voluntary watch, having burst out afresh on 
his waking, utterly disqualified the lad from giving one. 


THE PIONEERS. 


863 


Luckily, at this moment the principal door of the house 
opened, and the coarse features of Benjamin were thrust 
over the threshold, Avith a candle elevated above them, 
shedding its dim rays around in such a manner as to ex- 
hibit the lights and shadows of his countenance. Bichard 
threw his bridle to the black, and bidding him look to the 
horse, he entered the hall. 

“What is the meaning of the dead dog?’’ he cried. 
“ Where is Miss Temple ? ” 

Benjamin made one of his square gestures, with the 
thumb of his left hand pointing over his right shoulder, as 
he answered — 

“ Turned in.” 

“Judge Temple — where is he ?” 

“ In his berth.” 

“ But explain ; why is Brave dead ? and what is the cause 
of Aggy’s grief ? ” 

“Why, it’s all down. Squire,” said Benjamin, pointing to 
a slate that lay on the table, by the side of a mug of toddy, 
a short pipe, in which the tobacco was yet burning, and a 
Prayer-book. 

Among the other pursuits of Bichard, he had a passion 
to keep a register of all passing events ; and his diary, which 
was written in the manner of a journal, or log-book, em- 
braced not only such circumstances as affected himself, but 
observations on the weather, and all the occurrences of the 
family, and frequently of the village. Since his appoint- 
ment to the office of Sheriff, and his consequent absences 
from home, he had employed Benjamin to make memo- 
randa, on a slate, of whatever might be thought worth re- 
membering, which, on his return, were regularly transferred 
to the journal, with proper notations of the time, manner, 
and other little particulars. There was, to be sure, one 
material objection to the clerkship of Benjamin, which the 
ingenuity of no one but Bichard could have overcome. 
The steward read nothing but his Prayer-book, and that 
only in particular parts, and by the aid of a good deal of 
spelling, and some misnomers ; but he could not form a 
single letter with a pen. This would have been an insuper- 


364 


THE PIONEERS. 


able bar to journalizing, with most men ; but Richard in- 
vented a kind of hieroglyphical character, which was intended 
to note all the ordinary occurrences of a day, such as how the 
wind blew, whether the sun shone, or whether it rained, 
the hours, etc. ; and for the extraordinary, after giving cer- 
tain elementary lectures on the subject, the Sheriff was 
obliged to trust to the ingenuity of the major-domo. The 
reader will at once perceive, that it was to this chronicle 
that Benjamin pointed, instead of directly answering the 
Sheriff’s interrogatory. 

When Mr. Jones had drunk a glass of toddy, he brought 
forth, from its secret place, his proper journal, and, seating 
himself by the table, he prepared to transfer the contents 
of the slate to the paper, at the same time that he appeased 
his curiosity. Benjamin laid one hand on the back of the 
Sheriff’s chair, in a familiar manner, while he kept the other at 
liberty, to make use of a forefinger, that was bent like some 
of his own characters, as an index to point out his meaning. 

The first thing referred to by the Sheriff was the diagram , 
of a compass, cut in one corner of the slate for permanent 
use. The cardinal points were plainly marked on it, and 
all the usual divisions were indicated in such a manner, that 
no man who had ever steered a ship could mistake them. 

Oh ! ” said the Sheriff, settling himself down comfort- 
ably in his chair — you’d the wind southeast, I see, all 
last night ; I thought it would have blown up rain.” 

Devil the drop, sir,” said Benjamin ; believe that the 
scuttle-butt up aloft is emptied, for there hasn’t so much 
water fell in the country, for the last three weeks, as would 
float Indian John’s canoe, and that draws just one inch 
nothing, light.” 

^‘Well, but didn’t the wind change here this morning? 
there was a change where I was.” 

To be sure it did. Squire ; and haven’t I logged it as a 
shift of wind.” 

“I don’t see where, Benjamin — ” 

Don’t see ! ” interrupted the steward, a little crustily ; 
an’t there a mark ag’in east-and-by-nothe-half-nothe, with 
sum’mat like a rising sun at the end of it, to show ’twas in 
the morning watch ? ” 


THE PIONEERS. ' 365 

“ Yes, yes, that is very legible ; but where is the change 
noted ? ” 

Where ! why doesn’t it see this here tea-kettle, with a 
mark run from the spout straight, or mayhap a little crooked 
or so, into west-and-by-southe-half-southe ? now I call this 
a shift of wind. Squire. Well, do you see this here boar’s 
head that you made for me, alongside of the compass — ” 

“ Ay, ay — Boreas — I see. Why you’ve drawn lines from 
its mouth, extending from one of your marks to the other.” 

It’s no fault of mine. Squire Dickens ; ’tis your damned 
climate. The wind has been at all them there marks this 
very day ; and that’s all around the compass, except a little 
matter of an Irishman’s hurricane at meridium, which you’ll 
find marked right up and down. Now, I’ve known a sow- 
wester blow for three weeks, in the channel, with a clean 
drizzle, in which you might wash your face and hands, with- 
out the trouble of hauling in water from alongside.” 

“Very well, Benjamin,” said the Sheriff, writing in his 
journal; “I believe I have caught the idea. Oh! here’s a 
cloud over the rising sun ; so you had it hazy in the morn- 
ing ? ” 

“Ay, ay, sir,” said Benjamin. 

“ Ah ! it’s Sunday, and here are the marks for the length 
of the sermon — one, two, three, four: what 1 did Mr. Grant 
preach forty minutes ? ” 

“ Ay, sum’mat like it ; it was a good half-hour by my own 
glass, and then there was the time lost in turning it, and 
some little allowance for leeway in not being over-smart 
about it.” 

“Benjamin, this is as long as a Presbyterian; you never 
could have been ten minutes in turning the glass!” 

“ Why, do you see. Squire, the parson was very solemn, 
and I just closed my eyes in order to think the better with 
myself, just the same as you’d put in the dead-lights to make 
all snug, and when I opened them ag’in I found'-the congre- 
gation were getting under weigh for home, so I calculated 
the ten minutes would cover the leeway after the glass was 
out. It was only some such matter as a cat’s nap.” 

“Oh, ho! master Benjamin, you were asleep, were you! 


366 


THE PIONEERS. 


but I’ll set down no such slander against an orthodox divine.” 
Richard wrote twenty-nine minutes in his journal, and con- 
tinued — Why, what’s this you’ve got opposite ten o’clock 
A.M. ? A full moon! had you a moon visible by day? I 
have heard of such portents before now, but — eh I what’s 
this alongside of it ? an hour-glass ? ” 

“That!” said Benjamin, looking coolly over the Sheriff’s 
shoulder, and rolling the tobacco about in his mouth with a 
jocular air; “why, that’s a small matter of my own. It’s 
no moon. Squire, but only Betty Hollister’s face ; for, d’ye 
see, sir, hearing all the same as if she had got up a new 
cargo of Jamaiky from the river, I called in as I was going 
to the church this morning — ten a.m. was it? — just the 
time — and tried a glass ; and so I logged it, to put me in 
mind of calling to pay her like an honest man.” 

“ That was it, was it ? ” said the Sheriff, with some dis- 
pleasure at this innovation on his memoranda ; “ and could 
you not make a better glass than this ? it looks like a death’s 
head and an hour-glass.” 

“ Why, as I liked the stuff. Squire,” returned the steward, 
“I turned in, .homeward bound, and took t’other glass, which ' 
I set down at. the bottom of the first, and that gives the 
thing the shape it has. But as I was there again to-night, ’ 
and paid for the three at once, your honor may as well run 
the sponge over the whole business.” 

“I will buy you a slate for your own affairs, Benjamin,” j 
said the Sheriff; “I don’t like to have the journal marked ’ 
over in this manner.” ] 

“You needn’t — you needn’t. Squire; for seeing that I \ 
was likely to trade often with the woman while this barrel J 
lasted, I’ve opened a fair account with Betty, and she keeps i 
her marks on the back of her bar-door, and I keeps the tally I 
on this here bit of a stick.” 

As Benjamin concluded he produced a piece of wood, on 
which five very large, honest notches were apparent. The 
Sheriff cast his eyes on this new ledger for a moment, and 
continued — 

“ What have we here ! Saturday, two p.m., — why here’s 
a whole family piece ! two wine-glasses upside-down ! ” 


THE PIONEERS. 


367 


^^That^s two women; the one thisaway is Miss Lizzy, 
and t’other is the parson’s young’un.” 

Cousin Bess and Miss Grant ! ” exclaimed the Sheriff, 
in amazement; what have they to do with my journal ? ” 

They’d enough to do to get out of the jaws of that there 
painter, or panther,” said the immovable steward. 

This here thingum’y. Squire, that maybe looks sum’mat 
like a rat,, is the beast, d’ye see ; and this here t’other thing, 
keel uppermost, is poor old Brave, who died nobly, all the 
same as an admiral fighting for his king and country : and 
that there — ” 

Scarecrow,” interrupted Bichard. 

Ay, mayhap it do look a little wild or so,” continued the 
steward ; but to my judgment. Squire, it’s the best image 
I’ve made, seeing it’s most like the man himself; well 
that’s Natty Bumppo, who shot this here painter, that 
killed that there dog, who would have eaten or done worse 
to them here young ladies.” 

And what the devil does all this mean ? ” cried Bichard, 
impatiently. 

^^Mean!” echoed Benjamin; “it is as true as the Boadi- 
shey’s log-book — ” 

He was interrupted by the Sheriff, who put a few direct 
questions to him, that obtained more intelligible answers, 
by which means he became possessed of a tolerably correct 
idea of the truth. When the wonder, and, we must do 
Bichard the justice to say, the feelings also, that were 
created by this narrative, had in some degree subsided, the 
Sheriff turned his eyes again on his journal, where more 
inexplicable hieroglyphics met his view. 

“ What have we here ! ” he cried ; “two men boxing ! has 
there been a breach of the peace ? ah, that’s the way, the 
moment my back is turned — ” 

“That’s the Judge and young Master Edwards,” inter- 
rupted the steward, very cavalierly. 

“ How ! ’duke fighting with Oliver ! what the devil has 
got into you all ? more things have happened within the 
last thirty-six hours than in the preceding six months.” 

“ Yes, it’s so indeed. Squire,” returned the steward ; “ I’ve 


368 


THE PIONEERS. 


known a smart chase, and a fight at the tail of it, where less 
has been logged than I’ve got on that there slate. How- 
somnever, they didn’t come to facers, only passed a little 
jaw fore and aft.” 

Explain ! explain ! ” cried Eichard : it was about the 
mines, ha ! ay, ay, I see it, I see it ; here is a man with a 
pick on his shoulder. So you heard it all, Benjamin?” 

Why, yes, it was about their minds, I believe. Squire,” 
returned the steward ; and by what I can learn, they spoke 
them pretty plainly to one another. Indeed, I may say that 
I overheard a small matter of it myself, seeing that the win- 
dows was open, and I hard by. But this here is no pick, 
but an anchor on a man’s shoulder; and here’s the other 
fluke down his back, maybe a little too close, which signifies 
that the lad has got under weigh and left his moorings.” 

Has Edwards left the house ? ” 

He has.” 

Eichard pursued this advantage; and, after a long and 
close examination, he succeeded in getting out of Benjamin 
all that he knew, not only concerning the misunderstanding, 
but of the attempt to search the hut, and Hiram’s discom- 
fiture. The Sheriff was no sooner possessed of these facts, 
which Benjamin related with all possible tenderness to the 
Leather-stocking, than, snatching up his hat, and bidding 
the astonished steward secure the doors and go to his bed, 
he left the house. 

For at least five minutes after Eichard disappeared, Ben- 
jamin stood with his arms akimbo, and his eyes fastened 
on the door; when, having collected his astonished faculties, 
he prepared to execute the orders he had received. 

It has been already said that the court of common pleas 
and general sessions of the peace,” or, as it is commonly 
called, the county court,” over which Judge Temple pre- 
sided, held one of its stated sessions on the following morn- 
ing. The attendants of Eichard were officers who had come 
to the village, as much to discharge their usual duties at 
this court, as to escort the prisoners ; and the Sheriff knew 
their habits too well, not to feel confident he should find 
most, if not all of them, in the public room of the jail, dis- 


THE PIONEERS. 


369 


cussing the qualities of the keeper’s liquors. Accordingly 
he held his way through the silent streets of the village, 
directly to the small and insecure building that contained 
all the unfortunate debtors, and some of the criminals of. the 
county, and where justice was administered to such unwary 
applicants as were so silly as to throw away two dollars, in 
order to obtain one from their neighbors. The arrival of 
four malefactors in the custody of a dozen officers, was an 
event, at that day, in Templeton; and when the Sheriff 
reached the jail, he found every indication that his sub- 
ordinates intended to make a night of it. 

The nod of the Sheriff brought two of his deputies to the 
door, who in their turn drew off six or seven of the consta- 
bles. With this force Eichard led the way through the 
village towards the bank of the lake, undisturbed by any 
noise, except the barking of one or two curs, who were 
alarmed by the measured tread of the party, and by the low 
murmurs that ran through their own numbers, as a few 
cautious questions and answers were exchanged, relative 
to the object of their expedition. When they had crossed 
the little bridge of hewn logs that was thrown over the 
Susquehanna, they left the highway, and struck into that 
field which had been the scene of the victory over the 
pigeons. From this they followed their leader into the low 
bushes of pines and chestnuts which had sprung up along 
the shores of the lake, where the plough had not succeeded 
the fall of the trees, and soon entered the forest itself. 
Here Richard paused, and collected his troop around him. 

I have required your assistance, my friends,” he said, 
in a low voice, in order to arrest Nathaniel Bumppo, 
commonly called the Leather-stocking. He has assaulted a 
magistrate, and resisted the execution of a search-warrant,* 
by threatening the life of a constable with his rifle. In short, 
my friends, he has set an example of rebellion to the laws, 
and has become a kind of outlaw. He is suspected of other 
misdemeanors and offences against private rights; and I 
have this night taken on myself, by the virtue of my office 
of sheriff, to arrest the said Bumppo, and bring him to the 
county jail, that he may be present and forthcoming to 


370 


THE PIONEERS. 


answer to these heavy charges before the court to-morrow 
morning. In executing this duty, friends and fellow-citizens, 
you are to use courage and discretion. Courage, that you 
may, not be daunted by any lawless attempts that this man 
may make with his rifle and his dogs, to oppose you; and 
discretion, which here means caution and prudence, that he 
may not escape from this sudden attack — and for other 
good reasons that I need not mention. You will form your- 
selves in a complete circle around his hut, and at the word 
‘ advance,’ called aloud by me, you will rush forward, and, 
without giving the criminal time for deliberation, enter his 
dwelling by force, and make him your prisoner. Spread 
yourselves for this purpose, while I shall descend to the 
shore with a deputy, to take charge of that point; and all 
communications must be made directly to me, under the 
bank in front of the hut, where I shall station myself, and 
remain in order to receive them.” 

This speech, which Richard had been studying during his 
walk, had the effect that all similar performances produce, 
of bringing the dangers of the expedition immediately before 
the eyes of his forces. The men divided, some plunging 
deeper into the forest, in order to gain their stations without 
giving an alarm; and others continuing to advance, at a gait 
that would allow the whole party to go in order : but all 
devising the best plan to repulse the attack of a dog, or to 
escape a rifle-bullet. It was a moment of dread expectation 
and interest. 

When the Sheriff thought time enough had elapsed for 
the different divisions of his force to arrive at their sta- 
tions, he raised his voice in the silence of the forest, and 
shouted the watchword. The sounds played among the 
arched branches of the trees in hollo w cadences ; but when 
the last sinking tone was lost on the ear, in place of the ex- 
pected howls of the dogs, no other noises were returned but 
the crackling of torn branches and dried sticks, as they 
yielded before the advancing steps of the officers. Even 
this soon ceased, as if by a common consent, when the curi- 
osity and impatience of the Sheriff getting the complete 
ascendency over discretion, he rushed up the bank, and in a 


■I 






THE PIONEERS. 


371 


moment stood on the little piece of cleared ground in front 
of the spot where Katty had so long lived. To his amaze- 
ment, in place of the hut he saw only its smouldering ruins. 

The party gradually drew together about the heap of 
ashes and the ends of smoking logs ; while a dim flame in 
the centre of the ruin, which still found fuel to feed its 
lingering life, threw its pale light, flickering with the pass- 
ing currents of the air, around the circle, — now showing a 
face with eyes fixed in astonishment, and then glancing to 
another countenance, leaving the former shaded in the ob- 
scurity of night. hTot a voice was raised in inquiry, nor an 
exclamation made in astonishment. The transition from 
excitement to disappointment was too powerful for speech : 
and even Richard lost the use of an organ that was seldom 
known to fail him. 

The whole group were yet in the fulness of their surprise, 
when a tall form stalked from the gloom into the circle, 
'treading down the hot ashes and dying embers with callous 
feet; and standing over the light, lifted his cap, and exposed 
the bare head and weather-beaten features of the Leather- 
stocking. Tor a moment he gazed at the dusky figures who 
surrounded him, more in sorrow than in anger, before he 
spoke. 

What would ye with an old and helpless man ? he said. 

YouVe driven God’s creators from the wilderness, where 
His providence had put them for His own pleasure : and 
you’ve brought in the troubles and divilties of the law, 
where no man was ever known to disturb another. You 
have driven me, that have lived forty long years of my 
appointed time in this very spot, from my home and the 
shelter of my head, lest you should put your wicked feet 
and wasty ways in my cabin. You’ve driven me to burn 
these logs, under which I’ve eaten and drunk — the first of 
Heaven’s gifts, and the other of the pure springs — for the 
half of a hundred years ; and to mourn the ashes under my 
feet, as a man would weep and mourn for the children of 
his body. You’ve rankled the heart of an old man, that has 
never harmed you or your’n, with bitter feelings towards 
his kind, at a time when his thoughts should be on a better 


372 


THE PIONEERS. 


world ; and youVe driven him to wish that the beasts of the 
forest, who never feast on the blood of their own families, 
was his kindred and race : and now, when he has come to 
see the last brand of his hut, before it is melted into ashes, 
you follow him up, at midnight, like hungry hounds on the 
track of a worn-out and dying deer. What more would ye 
have? for I am here — one too many. I come to mourn, 
not to fight ; and, if it is God’s pleasure, work your will on 
me.” 

When the old man ended, he stood, with the light glim- 
mering around his thinly covered head, looking earnestly at 
the group, which receded from the pile with an involuntary 
movement, without the reach of the quivering rays, leaving 
a free passage for his retreat into the bushes, where pursuit, 
in the dark, would have been fruitless. Natty seemed not 
to regard this advantage ; but stood facing each individual 
in the circle in succession, as if to see who would be the 
first to arrest him. After a pause of a few moments, Richard 
began to rally his confused faculties ; and, advancing, apolo- 
gized for his duty, and made him his prisoner. The party 
now collected ; and, preceded by the Sheriff, with Natty in 
their centre, they took their way towards the village. 

During the walk, divers questions were put to the pris- 
oner concerning his reasons for burning the hut, and whither 
Mohegan had retreated; but to all of them he observed a 
profound silence, until, fatigued with their previous duties, 
and the lateness of the hour, the Sheriff and his followers 
reached the village, and dispersed to their several places of 
rest, after turning the key of a jail on the aged and appar- 
ently friendless Leather-stocking. 


CHAPTER XXXIII. 


Fetch here the stocks, ho! 

You stubborn ancient knave, you reverend braggart, 

We’ll teach you. 

Lear. 

The long days and early snn of July allowed time for 
a gathering of the interested, before the little bell of the 
. academy announced that the appointed hour had arrived 
for administering right to the wronged, and punishment to 
■ the guilty. Ever since the dawn of day, the highways and 
woodpaths that, issuing from the forests, and winding along 
^ the sides of the mountains, centred in Templeton, had been 
[ thronged with equestrians and footmen, bound to the haven 
^ of justice. There was to be seen a well-clad yeoman, 
r mounted on a sleek, switch-tailed steed, ambling along the 
j- highway, with his red face elevated in a manner that said, 
j ‘‘1 have paid for my land, and fear no man’^; while his 
1 bosom was swelling with the pride of being one of the 
! grand inquest for the county. At his side rode a compan- 
J ion, his equal in independence of feeling, perhaps, but his 
I inferior in thrift, as in property and consideration. This 
I was a professed dealer in lawsuits, — a man whose name 
' appeared in every calendar, — whose substance, gained in 
^ the multifarious expedients of a settler’s changeable habits, 

; was wasted in feeding the harpies of the courts. He was 
endeavoring to impress the mind of the grand juror with 
the merits of a cause now at issue. Along with these was 
a pedestrian, who, having thrown a rifle-frock over his- shirt, 
and placed his best wool hat above his sun-burnt visage, 
had issued from his retreat in the woods by a footpath, and 
was striving to keep company with the others, on his way 
to hear and to decide the disputes of his neighbors, as a 

373 


374 


THE PIONEERS. 


petit juror. Fifty similar little knots of countrymen might 
have been seen, on that morning, journeying towards the 
shire-town on the same errand. 

By ten o’clock the streets of the village were filled with 
busy faces ; some talking of their private concerns, some 
listening to a popular expounder of political creeds; and 
others gaping in at the open stores, admiring the finery, or 
examining scythes, axes, and such other manufactures as 
attracted their curiosity or excited their admiration. A 
few women were in the crowd, most carrying infants, and 
followed, at a lounging, listless gait, by their rustic lords 
and masters. There was one young couple, in whom con- 
nubial love was yet fresh, walking at a respectful distance 
from each other ; while the swain directed the timid steps 
of his bride, by a gallant offering of a thumb ! 

At the first stroke of the bell, Richard issued from the 
door of the Bold Dragoon,” flourishing a sheathed sword, 
that he was fond of saying his ancestors had carried in one 
of Cromwell’s victories, and crying, in an authoritative 
tone, to clear the way for the court.” The order was 
obeyed promptly, though not servilely, the members of the 
crowd nodding familiarly to the members of the procession 
as it passed. A party of constables with their staves fol- 
lowed the Sheriff, preceding Marmaduke, and four plain, 
grave-looking yeomen, who were his associates on the bench. 
There was nothing to distinguish these subordinate judges 
from the better part of the spectators, except gravity, which 
they affected a little more than common, and that one of 
their number was attired in an old-fashioned military coat, 
with skirts that reached no lower than the middle of his 
thighs, and bearing two little silver epaulettes, not half so 
big as a modern pair of shoulder-knots. This gentleman 
was a colonel of the militia, in attendance on a court-mar- 
tial, who found leisure to steal a moment from his military 
to attend to his civil jurisdiction: but this incongruity 
excited neither notice nor comment. Three or four clean- 
shaved lawyers followed, as meekly as if they were lambs 
going to the slaughter. One or two of their number had 
contrived to obtain an air of scholastic gravity by wearing 


THE PIONEERS. 


375 


spectacles. The rear was brought up by another posse of 
constables, and the mob followed the whole into the room 
where the court held its sittings. 

The edifice was composed of a basement of squared logs, 
perforated here and there with small grated windows, through 
which a few wistful faces were gazing at the crowd without. 
Among the captives were the guilty, downcast countenances 
of the counterfeiters, and the simple but honest features of 
the Leather-stocking. The dungeons were to be distinguished 
externally from the debtors’ apartments only by the size of 
the apertures, the thickness of the grates, and by the heads 
of the spikes that were driven into the logs as a protection 
against the illegal use of edge-tools. The upper story 'v^as 
of frame-work, regularly covered with boards, and contained 
one room decently fitted up for the purposes of justice. A 
bench, raised on a narrow platform to the height of a man 
above the floor, and protected in front by a light railing, 
ran along one of its sides. In the centre was a seat, fur- 
nished with rude arms, that was always filled by the presid- 
ing judge. In front, on a level with the floor of the room, 
was a large table covered with green baize, and surrounded 
by benches ; and at either of its ends were rows of seats, 
rising one over the other, for jury boxes. Each of these 
divisions was surrounded by a railing. The remainder of 
the room was an open square, appropriated to the spectators. 

When the judges were seated, the lawyers had taken pos- 
session of the table, and the noise of moving feet had ceased 
in the area, the proclamations were made in the usual form, 
the jurors were sworn, the charge was given, and the court 
proceeded to hear the business before them. 

We shall not detain the reader with a description of the 
captious discussions that occupied the court for the first 
two hours. Judge Temple had impressed on the jury, in 
his charge, the necessity for despatch on their part, recom- 
mending to their notice, from motives of humanity, the 
prisoners in the jail, as the first objects of their attention. 
Accordingly, after the period we have mentioned had elapsed, 
the cry of the officer to clear the way for the grand jury,” 
announced the entrance of that body. The usual forms 


376 


THE PIONEERS. 


were observed, when the foreman handed up to the bench 
two bills, on both of which the Judge observed, at the fi-rst 
glance of his eye, the name of Nathaniel Bumppo. It was 
a leisure moment with the court; some low whispering 
passed between the bench and the Sheriff, who gave a sig- 
nal to his officers, and in a very few minutes the silence 
that prevailed was interrupted by a general movement in 
the outer crowd; when presently the Leather-stocking made 
his appearance, ushered into the criminal’s bar under the 
custody of two constables. The hum ceased, the people 
closed into the open space again, and the silence soon be- 
came so deep, that the hard breathing of the prisoner was 
audible. 

Natty was dressed in his buckskin garments, without his 
coat, in place of which he wore only a shirt of coarse linen- 
check, fastened at his throat by the sinew of a deer, leaving 
his red neck and weather-beaten face exposed and bare. It 
was the first time that he had ever crossed the threshold of a 
court of justice, and curiosity seemed to be strongly blended 
with his personal feelings. He raised his eyes to the bench, 
thence to the jury-boxes, the bar, and the crowd without, 
meeting everywhere looks fastened on himself. After sur- 
veying his own person, as searching the cause of this unusual 
attraction, he once more turned his face around the assem- 
blage, and opened his mouth in one of his silent and remark- 
able laughs. 

Prisoner, remove your cap,” said Judge Temple. 

The order was either unheard or unheeded. 

“Nathaniel Bumppo, be uncovered,” repeated the Judge. 

Natty started at the sound of his name, and raising his 
face earnestly towards the bench, he said — 

“ Anan ! ” 

Mr. Lippet arose from his seat at the table, and whis- 
pered in the ear of the prisoner; when Natty gave him a 
nod of assent, and took the deerskin covering from his 
head. 

“Mr. District Attorney,” said the Judge, “the prisoner is 
ready ; we wait for the indictment.” 

The duties of public prosecutor were discharged by Dirck 


THE PIONEERS. 


377 


Van der School, who adjusted his spectacles, cast a cautious 
look around him at his brethren of the bar, which he ended 
by throwing his head aside so as to catch one glance over 
the glasses, when he proceeded to read the bill aloud. It 
was the usual charge for an assault and battery on the per- 
son of Hiram Doolittle, and was couched in the ancient lan- 
guage of such instruments, especial care having been taken 
by the scribe not to omit the name of a single offensive 
weapon known to the law. When he had done, Mr. Van 
der School removed his spectacles, which he closed and 
placed in his pocket, seemingly for the pleasure of again 
opening and replacing them on his nose. After this evolu- 
tion was repeated once or twice, he handed the bill over to 
Mr. Lippet, with a cavalier air, that said as much as Pick 
a hole in that if you can.’’ 

Natty listened to the charge with great attention, leaning 
forward towards the reader with an earnestness that denoted 
his interest ; and when it was ended, he raised his tall body 
to the utmost, and drew a long sigh. All eyes were turned 
to the prisoner, whose voice was vainly expected to break 
the stillness of the room. 

^^You have heard the presentment that the grand jury 
have made, Nathaniel Bumppo,” said the Judge; ^^what do 
you plead to the charge ? ” 

The old man dropped his head for a moment in a reflect- 
ing attitude, and then raising it, he laughed before he 
answered — 

That I handled the man a little rough or so, is not to be 
denied ; but that there was occasion to make use of all the 
things that the gentleman has spoken of, is downright un- 
true. I am not much of a wrestler, seeing that I’m getting 
old; but I was out among the Scotch-Irishers — let me see 
— it must have been as long ago as the first year of the old 
war — ” 

Mr. Lippet, if you are retained for the prisoner,” inter- 
rupted Judge Temple, instruct your client how to plead; 
if not, the court will assign him counsel.” 

Aroused from studying the indictment by this appeal, the 
attorney got up, and after a short dialogue with the hunter 


878 


THE PIONEERS. 


in a low voice, lie informed the court that they were ready 
to proceed. 

“ Do you plead guilty or not guilty ? ” said the Judge. 

I may say not guilty with a clean conscience/^ returned 
Natty ; for there’s no guilt in doing what’s right ; and I’d 
rather died on the spot, than had him put foot in the hut at 
that moment.” 

Richard started at this declaration, and bent his eyes sig- 
nificantly on Hiram, who returned the look with a slight 
movement of his eyebrows. 

“Proceed to open the cause, Mr. District Attorney,” con- 
tinued the J udge. “ Mr. Clerk, enter the plea of not guilty.” 

After a short opening address from Mr. Van der School, 
Hiram was summoned to the bar to give his testimony. It 
was delivered to the letter, perhaps, but with all that moral 
coloring which can be conveyed under such expressions as, 
“thinking no harm,” “feeling it my bounden duty as a 
magistrate,” and “ seeing that the constable was back’ard in 
the business.” When he had done, and the district attor- 
ney declined putting any further interrogatories, Mr. Lippet 
arose, with an air of keen investigation, and asked the fol- 
lowing questions : 

“ Are you a constable of this county, sir ? ” 

“No, sir,” said Hiram, “I’m only a justice-peace.” 

“ I ask you, Mr. Doolittle, in the face of this court, put- 
ting it to your conscience and your knowledge of the law, 
whether you had any right to enter that man’s dwelling ? ” 

“Hem!” said Hiram, undergoing a violent struggle be- 
tween his desire for vengeance and his love of legal fame ; 
“ I do suppose — that in — that is — strict law — that sup- 
posing — maybe I hadn’t a real — lawful right; but as the 
case was — and Billy was so back’ard — I thought I might 
come for’ard in the business.” 

“ I ask you again, sir,” continued the lawyer, following up 
his success, “ whether this old, this friendless old man, did 
or did not repeatedly forbid your entrance ? ” 

“ Why, I must say,” said Hiram, “ that he was consider- 
able cross-grained ; not what I call clever, seeing that it was 
only one neighbor wanting to go into the house of another.” 


THE PIONEERS. 


379 


Oh ! then you own it was only meant for a neighborly 
visit on your part, and without the sanction of law. Re- 
member, gentlemen, the words of the witness, ^ one neighbor 
wanting to enter the house of another.’ Now, sir, I ask 
you if Nathaniel Bumppo did not again and again order 
you not to enter ? ” 

“ There was some words passed between us,” said Hiram, 

but I read the warrant to him aloud.” 

I repeat my question ; did he tell you not to enter his 
habitation ? ” 

There was a good deal passed betwixt us — but I’ve the 
warrant in my pocket ; maybe the court would wish to see 
it?” 

Witness,” said Judge Temple, answer the question 
directly ; did or did not the prisoner forbid your entering 
his hut ? ” 

“ Why, I some think — ” 

Answer without equivocation,” continued the Judge, 
sternly. 

^^He did.” 

And did you attempt to enter after this order ? ” 

I did ; but the warrant was in my hand.” 

“ Proceed, Mr. Lippet, with your examination.” 

But the attorney saw that the impression was in favor of 
his client, and, waving his hand with a supercilious manner, 
as if unwilling to insult the understanding of the jury with 
any further defence, he replied — 

^^No, sir; I leave it for your honor to charge; I rest my 
case here.” 

^^Mr. District Attorney,” said the Judge, “have you any- 
thing to say ? ” 

Mr. Van der School removed his spectacles, folded them, 
and replacing them once more on his nose, eyed the other 
bill which he held in his hand, and then said, looking at the 
bar over the top of his glasses — 

I shall rest the prosecution here, if the court please.” 

Judge Temple arose and began the charge. 

“ Gentlemen of the jury,” he said, “you have heard the 
testimony, and I shall detain you but a moment. If an 


380 


THE PIONEERS. 


officer meet with resistance in the execution of a process, he 
has an undoubted right to call any citizen to his assistance ; 
and the acts of such assistant come within the protection of 
the law. I shall leave you to judge, gentlemen, from the 
testimony, how far the witness in this prosecution can be so 
considered, feeling less reluctance to submit the case thus 
informally to your decision, because there is yet another 
indictment to be tried, which involves heavier charges 
against the unfortunate prisoner.’’ 

The tone of Marmaduke was mild and insinuating, and as 
his sentiments were given with such apparent impartiality, 
they did not fail of carrying due weight with the jury. The 
grave-looking yeomen who composed this tribunal, laid their 
heads together for a few minutes, without leaving the box, 
when the foreman arose, and after the forms of the court 
were duly observed, he pronounced the prisoner to be — 

Not guilty.” 

You are acquitted of this charge, Nathaniel Bumppo,” 
said the Judge. 

Anan ! ” said Natty. 

You are found not guilty of striking and assaulting Mr. 
Doolittle.” 

No, no. I’ll not deny but that I took him a little roughly 
by the shoulders,” said Natty, looking about him with .great 
simplicity, “ and that I — ” 

You are acquitted,” interrupted the Judge, and there is 
nothing further to be said or done in the matter.” 

A look of joy lighted up the features of the old man, who 
now comprehended the case, and placing his cap eagerly on 
his head again, he threw up the bar of his little prison, and 
said feelingly — 

“I must say this for you. Judge Temple, that the law 
has not been so hard oh me as I dreaded. I hope God will 
bless you for the kind things you’ve done to me this day.” 

But the staff of the constable was opposed to his egress, 
and Mr. Lippet whispered a few words in his ear, when the 
aged hunter sank back into his place, and, removing his cap, 
stroked down the remnants of his grey and sandy locks, 
with an air of mortification mingled with submission. 


THE PIONEERS. 


381 


^^Mr. District Attorney/’ said Judge Temple, affecting to 
busy himself with his minutes, proceed with the second 
indictment.” 

Mr. Van der School took great care that no part of the 
presentment, which he now read, should be lost on his audi- 
tors. It accused the prisoner of resisting the execution of a 
search-warrant, by force of arms, and particularized, in the 
vague language of the law, among a variety of other weapons, 
the use of the rifle. This was indeed a more serious charge 
than an ordinary assault and battery, and a corresponding 
degree of interest was manifested by the spectators in its 
result. The prisoner was duly arraigned, and his plea again 
demanded. Mr. Lippet had anticipated the answers of 
Natty, and in a whisper advised him how to plead. But 
the feelings of the old hunter were awakened by some of 
the expressions of the indictment, and, forgetful of his cau- 
tion, he exclaimed — 

’Tis a wicked untruth ; I crave no man’s blood. Them 
thieves, the Iroquois, won’t say it to my face, that I ever 
thirsted after man’s blood. I have font as a soldier that 
feared his Maker and his officer, but I never pulled trigger on 
any but a warrior that was up and awake. No man can say 
that I ever struck even a Mingo in his blanket. I believe 
there’s some who thinks there’s no God in a wilderness ! ” 
Attend to your plea, Bumppo,” said the Judge ; you 
hear that you are accused of using your rifle against an officer 
of justice ? are you guilty or not guilty ? ” 

By this time the irritated feelings of Natty had found 
vent ; and he rested on the bar for a moment, in a musing 
posture, when he lifted his face, with his silent laugh, and, 
pointing to where the wood-chopper stood, he said — 

Would Billy Kirby be standing there, d’ye think, if I 
had used the rifle ? ” 

^^Then you deny it,” said Mr. Lippet; ^^you plead not 
guilty ? ” 

^^Sartain,” said Natty; Billy knows that I never fired 
at all. Billy, do you remember the turkey last winter? 
ah me! that was better than common firing; but I can’t 
shoot as I used to could.” 


382 


THE PIONEERS. 


Enter the plea of not guilty/^ said Judge Temple, 
strongly affected by the simplicity of the prisoner. 

Hiram was again sworn, and his testimony given on the 
second charge. He had discovered his former error, and 
proceeded more cautiously than before. He related very 
distinctly, and for the man, with amazing terseness, the 
suspicion against the hunter, the complaint, the issuing of 
the warrant, and the swearing in of Kirby ; all of which, 
he affirmed, were done in due form of law. He then added 
the manner in which the constable had been received ; and 
stated distinctly, that Hatty had pointed the rifle at Kirby, 
and threatened his life, if he attempted to execute his duty. 
All this was confirmed by Jotham, who was observed to 
adhere closely to the story of the magistrate. Mr. Lippet 
conducted an artful cross-examination of these two witnesses, 
but after consuming much time, was compelled to relinquish 
the attempt to obtain any advantage, in despair. 

At length the district attorney called the wood-chopper 
to the bar. Billy gave an extremely confused account of 
the whole affair, although he evidently aimed at the truth, 
until Mr. Van der School aided him, by asking some direct 
questions : 

^^Tt appears from examining the papers, that you de- 
manded admission into the hut legally ; so you were put in 
bodily fear by his rifle and threats ? ” 

didn’t mind them that, man,” said Billy, snapping his 
fingers; ‘‘1 should be a poor stick to mind old Leather- 
stocking.” 

But I understood you to say (referring to your previous 
words (as delivered here in court) in the commencement of 
your testimony) that you thought he meant to shoot you ? ” 

To be sure I did ; and so would you too. Squire, if you 
had seen the chap dropping a muzzle that never misses, and 
cocking an eye that has a natural squint by long practice. 
I thought there would be a dust on’t, and my back was up 
at once ; but Leather-stocking gi’n up the skin, and so the 
matter ended.” 

Ah ! Billy,” said Hatty, shaking his head, ’twas a lucky 
thought in me to throw out the hide, or there might have 


THE PIONEERS. 


383 


been blood spilt; and I’m sure, if it bad been your’n, I 
should bave mourn’d it sorely the little while I have to 
stay.” 

''Well, Leather-stocking,” returned Billy, facing the 
prisoner with a freedom and familiarity that utterly dis- 
regarded the presence of the court, " as you are on the sub- 
ject, it may be that you’ve no — ” 

" Go on with your examination, Mr. District Attorney.” 

That gentleman eyed the familiarity between his witness 
and the prisoner with manifest disgust, and indicated to the 
court that he was done. 

" Then you didn’t feel frightened, Mr. Kirby ? ” said the 
counsel for the prisoner. 

" Me ! no,” said Billy, casting his eyes over his own huge 
frame with evident self-satisfaction ; " I’m not to be sheared 
so easy.” 

" You look like a hardy man ; where were you born, sir ? ” 

" Varmount state ; ’tis a mountaynious place, but there’s a 
stiff soil, and it’s pretty much wooded with beech and maple.” 

"I have always heard so,” said Mr. Lippet, soothingly. 
" You have been used to a rifle yourself, in that country ? ” 

"I pull the second best trigger in this county. I knock 
under to Natty Bumppo there, sin’ he shot the pigeon.” 

Leather-stocking raised his head, and laughed again, when 
he abruptly thrust out a wrinkled hand, and said — 

"You’re young yet, Billy, and hav’n’t seen the matches 
that I have ; but here’s my hand ; I bear no malice to you, I 
don’t.” 

Mr. Lippet allowed this conciliatory offering to be ac- 
cepted, and judiciously paused, while the spirit of peace was 
exercising its influence over the two ; but the Judge inter- 
posed his authority. 

" This is an improper place for such dialogues,” he said. 
" Proceed with your examination of this witness, Mr. Lippet, 
or I shall order the next.” 

The attorney started, as if unconscious of any impropriety, 
and continued — 

" So you settled the matter with Natty amicably on the 
spot, did you? ” 


384 


THE PIONEERS. 


He gi’n me the skin, and I didn’t want to quarrel with 
an old man ; for my part, I see no such mighty matter in 
shooting a buck ! ” 

And you parted friends ? and you would never have 
thought of bringing the business up before a court, hadn’t 
you been subpoenaed ? ” 

I don’t think I should ; he gi’n the skin, and I didn’t 
feel a hard thought, though Squire Doolittle got some 
affronted.” 

have done, sir,” said Mr. Lippet, probably relying on 
the charge of the Judge, as he again seated himself, with 
the air of a man who felt that his success was certain. 

When Mr. Van der School arose to address the jury, he 
commenced by saying — 

Gentlemen of the jury, I should have interrupted the 
leading questions put by the prisoner’s counsel (by leading 
questions I mean telling him what to say), did I not feel 
confident that the law of the land was superior to any ad- 
vantages (I mean legal advantages) which he might obtain 
by his art. The counsel for the prisoner, gentlemen, has en- 
deavored to persuade you, in opposition to your own good 
sense, to believe that pointing a rifie at a constable (elected 
or deputed) is a very innocent affair ; and that society 
(I mean the commonwealth, gentlemen) shall not be en- 
dangered thereby. But let me claim your attention, while 
we look over the particulars of this heinous offence.” Here 
Mr. Van der School favored the jury with an abridgment of 
the testimony, recounted in such a manner as utterly to con- 
fuse the faculties of his worthy listeners. After this exhibi- 
tion he closed as follows : And now, gentlemen, having 
thus made plain to your senses the crime of which this un- 
fortunate man has been guilty (unfortunate both on account 
of his ignorance and his guilt), I shall leave you to your 
own consciences; not in the least doubting that you will 
see the importance (notwithstanding the prisoner’s counsel 
(doubtless relying on your former verdict) wishes to appear 
so confident of success) of punishing the offender, and as- 
serting the dignity of the laws.” 

It was now the duty of the Judge to deliver his charge. 


THE PIONEERS. 


385 


It consisted of a short, comprehensive summary of the tes- 
timony, laying bare the artifice of the prisoner’s counsel, 
and placing the facts in so obvious a light, that they could 
not well be misunderstood. Living as we do, gentlemen,” 
he concluded, on the skirts of society, it becomes doubly 
necessary to protect the ministers of the law. If you be- 
lieve the witnesses, in their construction of the acts of the 
prisoner, it is your duty to convict him ; but if you believe 
that the old man, who this day appears before you, meant 
not to harm the constable, but was acting more under the 
infiuence of habit than by the instigations of malice, it will 
be your duty to judge him, but to do it with lenity.” 

As before, the jury did not leave their box but, after a 
consultation of some little time, their foreman arose, and 
pronounced the prisoner — 

Guilty.” 

There was but little surprise manifested in the court- 
room at this verdict, as the testimony, the greater part of 
which we have omitted, was too clear and direct to be 
passed over. The judges seemed to have anticipated this 
sentiment, for a consultation was passing among them also, 
during the deliberation of the jury, and the preparatory 
movements of the bench ” announced the coming sentence. 

Nathaniel Bumppo,” commenced the Judge, making the 
customary pause. 

The old hunter, who had been musing again, with his 
head on the bar, raised himself, and cried, with a prompt, 
military tone — 

Here.” 

The Judge waved his hand for silence, and proceeded — 

^Hn forming their sentence, the court have been gov- 
erned as much by the consideration of your ignorance of 
the laws, as by a strict sense of the importance of punish- 
ing such outrages as this of which you have been found 
guilty. They have therefore passed over the obvious pun- 
ishment of whipping on the bare back, in mercy to your 
years ; but as the dignity of the law requires an open exhi- 
bition of the consequences of your crime, it is ordered, that 
you be conveyed from this room to the public stocks, where 
2 c 


886 


THE PIONEERS. 


you are to be confined for one hour : that you pay a fine to 
the state of one hundred dollars ; and that you be im- 
prisoned in the jail of this county for one calendar month, 
and furthermore, that your imprisonment do not cease until 
the said fine shall be paid. I feel it my duty, Nathaniel 
Bumppo — 

And where should I get the money ? interrupted the 
Leather-stocking, eagerly ; where should I get the money ? 
you’ll take away the bounty on the painters, because I cut 
the throat of a deer ; and how is an old man to find so much 
gold or silver in the woods ? No, no. Judge : think better 
of it, and don’t talk of shutting me up in a jail for the little 
time I have to stay.” 

If you have anything to urge against the passing of the 
sentence, the court will yet hear you,” said the Judge, 
mildly. 

have enough to say ag’in it,” cried Natty, grasping 
the bar on which his fingers were working with a convulsed 
motion. Where am I to get the money ? Let me out into 
the woods and hills, where I’ve been used to breathe the 
clear air, and though I’m threescore and ten, if you’ve left 
game enough in the country. I’ll travel night and day, but 
I’ll make you up the sum afore the season is over. Yes, 
yes — you see the reason of the thing, and the wickedness 
of shutting up an old man, that has spent his days, as one 
may say, where he could always look into the windows of 
heaven.” 

I must be governed by the law — ” 

Talk not to me of law, Marmaduke Temple,” interrupted 
the hunter. Did the beast of the forest mind your laws, 
when it was thirsty and hungering for the blood of your 
own child! She was kneeling to her God for a greater 
favor than I ask, and he heard her ; and if you now say no 
to my prayers, do you think he will be deaf ? ” 

^‘My private feelings must not enter into — ” 

Hear me, Marmaduke Temple,” interrupted the old man, 
with melancholy earnestness, ‘^and hear reason. I’ve trav- . 
elled these mountains when you was no judge, but an in- 
fant in your mother’s arms ; and I feel as if I had a right 


THE PIONEERS. 


387 


and a privilege to travel them ag’in afore I die. Have you 
forgot the time that you come onto the lake-shore, when there 
wasn’t even a jail to lodge in ; and didn’t I give you my 
own bearskin to sleep on, and the fat of a noble buck to 
satisfy the cravings of your hunger? Yes, yes — you 
thought it no sin then to kill a deer! And this I did, 
though I had no reason to love you, for you had never done 
anything but harm to them that loved and sheltered me. 
And now, will you shut me up in your dungeons to pay me 
for my kindness ? A hundred dollars ! where should I get 
the money ? No, no — there’s them that says hard things 
of you, Marmaduke Temple, but you an’t so bad as to wish 
to see an old man die in a prison, because he stood up for 
the right. Come, friend, let me pass ; it’s long sin’ I’ve been 
used to such crowds, and I crave to be in the woods ag’in. 
Don’t fear me. Judge — I bid you not to fear me; for if 
there’s beaver enough left on the streams, or the buckskins 
will sell for a shilling apiece, you shall have the last penny 
of the fine. Where are ye, pups ! come away, dogs ! come 
away ! we have a grievous toil to do for our years, but it shall 
be done — yes, yes, I’ve promised it, and it shall be done ! ” 

It is unnecessary to say, that the movement of the Leather- 
stocking was again intercepted by the constable ; but before 
he had time to speak, a bustling in the crowd, and a loud 
hem, drew all eyes to another part of the room. 

Benjamin had succeeded in edging his way through the 
people, and was now seen balancing his short body, with 
one foot in a window and the other on a railing of the jury- 
box. To the amazement of the whole court, the steward 
was evidently preparing to speak. After a good deal of 
difficulty, he succeeded in drawing from his pocket a small 
bag, and then found utterance. 

If so be,” he said, that your honor is agreeable to trust 
the poor fellow out on another cruise among the beasts, 
here’s a small matter that will help to bring down the risk, 
seeing that there’s just thirty-five of your Spaniards in it ; 
and I wish, from the bottom of my heart, that they was 
raal British guineas, for the sake of the old boy. But ’tis 
as it is ; and if Squire Dickens will just be so good as to over- 


388 


THE PIONEERS. 


haul, this small bit of an account, and take enough from the 
bag to settle the same, he’s welcome to hold on upon the 
rest, till such time as the Leather-stocking can grapple with 
them said beaver, or, for that matter, for ever, and no thanks 
asked.” 

As Benjamin concluded, he thrust out the wooden regis- 
ter of his arrears to the Bold Dragoon ” with one hand, 
while he offered his bag of dollars with the other. Aston-, 
ishment at this singular interruption produced a profound 
stillness in the room, which was only interrupted by the 
Sheriff, who struck his sword on the table, and cried — 
Silence ! ” 

“There must be an end to this,” said the Judge, strug- 
gling to overcome his feelings. “ Constable, lead the pris- 
oner to the stocks. Mr. Clerk, what stands next on the 
calendar ? ” 

Natty seemed to yield to his destiny, for he sank his head 
on his chest, and followed the officer from the court-room 
in silence. The crowd moved back for the passage of the 
prisoner, and when his tall form was seen descending from 
the outer door, a rush of the people to the scene of his dis- 
grace followed. 


CHAPTER XXXIV. 


Ha ! ha ! look ! he wears cruel garters ! 

Lear. 

The punishments of the common law were still known, 
at the time of our tale, to the people of New York; and the 
whipping-post, and its companion, the stocks, were not yet 
supplanted by the more merciful expedients of the public 
prison. Immediately in front of the jail those relics of the 
elder times were situated, as a lesson of precautionary jus- 
tice to the evil-doers of the settlement. 

Hatty followed the constables to this spot, bowing his 
head with submission to a power that he was unable to 
oppose, and surrounded by the crowd that formed a circle 
about his person, exhibiting in their countenances strong 
curiosity. A constable raised the upper part of the stocks, 
and pointed with his finger to the holes where the old man 
was to place his feet. Without making the least objection 
to the punishment, the Leather-stocking quietly seated him- 
self on the ground, and suffered his limbs to be laid in the 
openings, without even a murmur ; though he cast one glance 
about him, in quest of that sympathy that human nature 
always seems to require under suffering. If he met no 
direct manifestations of pity, neither did he see any unfeel- 
ing exultation, or hear a single reproachful epithet. The 
character of the mob, if it could be called by such a name, 
was that of attentive subordination. 

The constable was in the act of lowering the upper plank, 
when Benjamin, who had pressed close to the side of the 
prisoner, said, in his hoarse tones, as if seeking for some 
cause to create a quarrel — 


389 


890 


THE PIONEERS. 


Where away, master constable, is the use of clapping a 
man in them here bilboes? it neither stops his grog nor 
hurts his back; what for is it that you do the thing?” 

“^Tis the sentence of the court, Mr. Penguillium, and 
there’s law for it, I s’pose.” 

^‘Ay, ay, I know that there’s law for the thing; but 
where away do you find the use, I say? it does no harm, 
and it only keeps a man by the heels for the small matter 
of two glasses.” 

“Is it no harm, Benny Pump,” said Natty, raising his 
eyes with a piteous look in the face of the steward — “ is it 
no harm to show off a man in his seventy-first year, like a 
tame bear, for the settlers to look on ! Is it no harm to put 
an old soldier, that has sarved through the war of ’fifty-six, 
and seen the inimy in the ’seventy-six business, into a place 
like this, where the boys can point at him and say, I have 
known the time when he was a spectacle for the county ! 
Is it no harm to bring down the pride of an honest man to 
be the equal of the beasts of the forest ! ” 

Benjamin stared about him fiercely, and could he have 
found a single face that expressed contumely, he would have 
been prompt to quarrel with its owner ; but meeting every- 
where with looks of sobriety, and occasionally of commis- 
eration, he very deliberately seated himself by the side of 
the hunter, and placing his legs in the two vacant holes of 
the stocks, he said — 

“Now lower away, master constable, lower away, I tell 
ye! If so be there’s such a thing hereabouts as a man that 
wants to see a bear, let him look and be damned, and he 
shall find two of them, and mayhap one of the same that 
can bite as well as growl.” 

“But I have no orders to put you in the stocks, Mr. 
Pump,” cried the constable; “you must get up, and let me 
do my duty.” 

“You’ve my orders, and what do you need better to 
meddle with my own feet? so lower away, will ye, and let 
me see the man that chooses to open his mouth with a grin 
on it.” 



THE PIONEERS. 391 

will enter the pound,” said the constable, laughing, and 
closing the stocks on them both. 

It was fortunate that this act was executed with decision, 
for the whole of the spectators, when they saw Benjamin 
assume the position he took, felt an inclination for mer- 
riment, which few thought it worth while to suppress. The 
steward struggled violently for his liberty again, with an 
evident intention of making battle on those who stood near- 
est to him; but the key was already turned, and all his 
efforts were vain. 

^‘Hark ye, master constable,” he cried, just clear away 
your bilboes for the small matter of a log-glass, will ye, 
and let me show some of them there chaps who it is they 
are so merry about.” 

“No, no, you would go in, and you can’t come out,” 
returned the officer, “until the time has expired that the 
Judge directed for the keeping of the prisoner.” 

Benjamin, finding that his threats and his struggles were 
useless, had good sense enough to learn patience from the 
resigned manner of his companion, and soon settled him- 
self down by the side of Natty, with a contemptuousness 
expressed in his hard features, that showed he had substi- 
tuted disgust for rage. When the violence of the steward’s 
feelings had in some measure subsided, he turned to his fel- 
low-sufferer, and, with a motive that might have vindicated 
a worse effusion, he attempted the charitable office of conso- 
lation. 

“Taking little and large. Master Bump-ho, ’tis but a 
small matter after all,” he said. “Now, I’ve known very 
good sort of men, aboard of the Boadishey, laid by the 
heels, for nothing, mayhap, but forgetting that they’d 
drunk their allowance already, when a glass of grog has 
come in their way. This is nothing more than riding with 
two anchors ahead, waiting for a turn in the tide, or a shift 
of wind, d’ye see, with a soft bottom and plenty of room 
for the sweep of your hawse. Now I’ve seen many a man, 
for over-shooting his reckoning, as I told ye, moored head 
and starn, where he couldn’t so much as heave his broadside 
round and mayhap a stopper clapt on his tongue too, in the 


392 


THE PIONEERS. 


shape of a pump-bolt lashed athwartship his jaws, all the 
same as an out-rigger alongside of a taffrel-rail.^^ 

The hunter appeared to appreciate the kind intentions 
of the other, though he could not understand his eloquence ; 
and raising his humbled countenance, he attempted a smile, 
as he said — 

“ Anan ! ” 

^Tis nothing, I say, but a small matter of a squall that 
will soon blow over,” continued Benjamin. ^‘To you that 
has such a length of keel, it must be all the same as noth- 
ing; thof, seeing that Ihn a little short in my lower timbers, 
they’ve triced my heels up in such a way as to give me a bit 
of a cant. But what cares I, Master Bump-ho, if the ship 
strains a little at her anchor; it’s only for a dog-watch, and 
dam’me but she’ll sail with you then on that cruise after 
them said beaver. I’m not much used to small-arms, see- 
ing that I was stationed at the ammunition-boxes, being 
sum’mat too low-rigged to see over the hammock-cloths; 
but I can carry the game, d’ye see, and mayhap make out 
to lend a hand with the traps; and if so be you’re anyway 
so handy with them as ye be with your boat-hook, ’twill be 
but a short cruise after all. I’ve squared the yards with 
Squire Dickens this morning, and I shall send him word 
that he needn’t bear my name on the books again till such 
time as the cruise is over.” 

‘^You’re used to dwell with men, Benny,” said Leather- 
stocking, mournfully, “ and the ways of the woods would be 
hard on you, if — ” 

^‘Not a bit — not a bit,” cried the steward; “I’m none 
of your fair-weather chaps; Master Bump-ho, as sails only 
in smooth water. When I find a friend, I sticks by him, 
d’ye see. Now, there’s no better man agoing than Squire 
Dickens, and I love him about the same as I loves Mistress 
Hollister’s new keg of Jamaiky.” The steward paused, and 
turning his uncouth visage on the hunter, he surveyed him 
with a roguish leer of his eye, and gradually suffered the 
muscles of his hard features to relax, until his face was illu- 
minated by the display of his white teeth, when he dropped 
his voice, and added, “I say. Master Leather-stocking, 


THE PIONEERS. * 


393 


^tis fresher and livelier than any Hollands you’ll get in 
Garnsey. But we’ll send a hand over and ask the woman 
for a taste, for I’m so jamb’d in these here bilboes, that I 
begin to want sum ’mat to lighten my upper works.” 

Natty sighed, and gazed about him on the crowd, that 
already began to disperse, and which had now diminished 
greatly, as its members scattered in their various pursuits. 
He looked wistfully at Benjamin, but did not reply; a 
deeply seated anxiety seeming to absorb every other sen- 
sation, and to throw a melancholy gloom over his wrinkled 
features, which were working with the movements of his 
mind. * 

The steward was about to act on the old principle, that 
silence gives consent, when Hiram Doolittle, attended by 
Jotham, stalked out of the crowd, across the open space, 
and approached the stocks. The magistrate passed by the 
end where Benjamin was seated, and posted himself, at a 
safe distance from the steward, in front of the Leather- 
stocking. Hiram stood, for a moment, cowering before the 
keen looks that Natty fastened on him, and suffering under 
an embarrassment that was quite new; when, having in 
some degree recovered himself, he looked at the heavens, 
and then at the smoky atmosphere, as if it were only an 
ordinary meeting with a friend, and said in his formal 
hesitating way — 

“Quite a scarcity of rain lately; I some think we shall 
have a long drought on’t.” 

Benjamin was occupied in untying his bag of dollars, and 
did not observe the approach of the magistrate, while Natty 
turned his face, in which every muscle was working, away 
from him in disgust, without answering. Bather encour- 
aged than daunted by this exhibition of dislike, Hiram, 
after a short pause, continued. 

“ The clouds look as if they’d no water in them, and the 
earth is dreadfully parched. To my judgment, there’ll 
be short crops this season, if the rain doesn’t fall quite 
speedily.” 

The air with which Mr. Doolittle delivered this propheti- 
cal opinion was peculiar to his species. It was a jesuitical. 


394 


THE PIONEERS. 


cold, unfeeling, and selfish manner, that seemed to say, “ I 
have kept within the law,” to the man he had so cruelly 
injured. It quite overcame the restraint that the old 
hunter had been laboring to impose on himself, and he 
burst out in a warm glow of indignation. 

‘‘Why should the rain fall from the clouds,” he cried, 
“ when you force the tears from the eyes of the old, the sick, 
and the poor ! Away with ye — away with ye ! you may be 
formed in the image of the Maker, but Satan dwells in your 
heart. Away with ye, I say! I am mournful, and the sight 
of ye brings bitter thoughts.” 

Benjamin ceased thumbing his monly, and raised his 
head at the instant that Hiram, who was thrown off his 
guard by the invectives of the hunter, unluckily trusted 
his person within reach of the steward, who grasped one 
of his legs, with a hand that had the grip of a vice, and 
whirled the magistrate from his feet, before he had either 
time to collect his senses or to exercise the strength he 
did really possess. Benjamin wanted neither proportions 
nor manhood in his head, shoulders, and arms, though all 
the rest of his frame appeared to be originally intended for 
a very different sort of a man. He exerted his physical 
powers on the present occasion, with much discretion; and 
as he had taken his antagonist at a great disadvantage, the 
struggle resulted, very soon, in Benjamin getting the magis- 
trate fixed in a posture somewhat similar to his own, and 
manfully placed face to face. 

“You’re a ship’s cousin, I tell ye. Master Doo-but- 
little,” roared the steward; “some such matter as a ship’s 
cousin, sir. I know you, I do, with your fair-weather 
speeches to Squire Dickens, to his face, and then you go 
and sarve out your grumbling to all the old women in the 
town, do ye. An’t it enough for any Christian, let him 
harbor never so much malice, to get an honest old fellow 
laid by the heels in this fashion, without carrying sail so 
hard on the poor dog, as if you would run him down as he 
lay at his anchors? But I’ve logged many a hard thing 
against your name, master, and now the time’s, come to 
foot up the day’s work, d’ye see; so square yourself, you 


THE PIONEERS. 395 

lubber, square yourself, and we’ll soon know who’s the 
better man.” 

“Jotham!” cried the frightened magistrate — ‘‘Jotham! 
call in the constables. Mr. Penguillium, I command the 
peace — I order you to keep the peace.” 

“There’s been more peace than love atwixt us, master,” 
cried the steward, making some very unequivocal demon- 
strations towards hostility ; “ so mind yourself ! square 
yourself, I say! do you smell this here bit of a sledge- 
hammer? ” 

“ Lay hands on me if you dare I ” exclaimed Hiram, as 
well as he could under the grasp which the steward held 
on his throttle — “ lay hands on me if you dare I ” 

“If ye call this laying, master, you are welcome to the 
eggs,” roared the steward. 

It becomes our disagreeable duty to record here, that the 
acts of Benjamin now became violent; for he darted his 
sledge-hammer violently on the anvil of Mr. Doolittle’s 
countenance, and the place became, in an instant, a scene 
of tumult and confusion. The crowd rushed in a dense 
circle around the spot, while some ran to the court-room to 
give the alarm, and one or two of the more juvenile part 
of the multitude had a desperate trial of speed to see who 
should be the happy man to communicate the critical situa- 
tion of the magistrate to his wife. 

Benjamin worked away with great industry and a good 
deal of skill, at his occupation, using one hand to raise up 
his antagonist, while he knocked him over with the other; 
for he would have been disgraced in his own estimation, 
had he struck a blow on a fallen adversary. By this con- 
siderate arrangement he had found means to hammer the 
visage of Hiram out of all shape, by the time Eichard 
succeeded in forcing his way through the throng to the 
point of combat. The Sheriff afterwards declared that, 
independently of his mortification, as preserver of the 
peace of the county, at this interruption to its harmony, 
he was never so grieved in his life, as when he saw this 
breach of unity between his favorites. Hiram had in some 
degree become necessary to his vanity, and Benjamin, 


896 


THE PIONEERS. 


strange as it may appear, lie really loved. This attach- 
ment was exhibited in the first words that he uttered. 

‘‘Squire Doolittle! Squire Doolittle! I am ashamed to 
see a man of your character and ofiice forget himself so 
much as to disturb the peace, insult the court, and beat 
poor Benjamin in this manner!” 

At the sound of Mr. Jones’s voice, the steward ceased 
his employment, and Hiram had an opportunity of raising 
his discomfited visage towards the mediator. Emboldened 
by the sight of the Sheriff, Mr. Doolittle again had recourse 
to his lungs. 

“I’ll have the law on you for this,” he cried desperately; 
“I’ll have the law on you for this. I call on you, Mr. 
Sheriff, to seize this man, and I demand that you take his 
body into custody.” 

By this time Bichard was master of the true state of the 
case, and, turning to the steward, he said, reproachfully — 

“Benjamin, how came you in the stocks? I always 
thought you were mild and docile as a lamb. It was for 
your docility that I most esteemed you. Benjamin! Ben- 
jamin ! you have not only disgraced yourself, but your 
friends, by this shameless conduct. Bless me! bless me! 
Mr. Doolittle, he seems to have knocked your face all of 
one side.” 

Hiram by this time had got on his feet again, and with- 
out the reach of the steward, when he broke forth in vio- 
lent appeals for vengeance. The offence was too apparent 
to be passed over, and the Sheriff, mindful of the impar- 
tiality exhibited by his cousin in the recent trial of the 
Leather-stocking, came to the painful conclusion that it 
was necessary to commit his major-domo to prison. As 
the time of Natty’s punishment was expired, and Benjamin 
found that they were to be confined, for that night at least, 
in the same apartment, he made no very strong objections 
to the measure, nor spoke of bail, though, as the Sheriff 
preceded the party of constables that conducted them to 
the jail, he uttered the following remonstrance : 

“As to being berthed with Master Bump-ho for a night 
or so, it’s but little I think of it. Squire Dickens, seeing 


THE PIONEERS. 


397 


thcit I calls liim an lionest man, and one as has a handy 
way with boat-hooks and rifles ; but as for owning that a 
man desarves anything worse than a double allowance, for 
knocking that carpenter’s face a-one-side, as you call it, 
I’ll maintain it’s ag’in reason and Christianity. If there’s 
a bloodsucker in this ’ere county, it’s that very chap. Ay! 
I know him 1 and if he hasn’t got all the same as dead wood 
in his head-works, he knows sum’ mat of me. Where’s the 
mighty harm. Squire, that you take it so much to heart? 
It’s all the same as any other battle, d’ye see, sir, being 
broadside to broadside, only that it was font at anchor, 
which was what we did in Port Praya roads, when Suff ’ring 
came in among us; and a suff ’ring time he had of it, before 
he got out again.” 

Kichard thought it unworthy of him to make any reply 
to this speech; but when his prisoners were safely lodged 
in an outer dungeon, ordering the bolts to be drawn and 
the key turned, he withdrew. 

Benjamin held frequent and friendly dialogues with dif- 
ferent people, through the iron gratings, during the after- 
noon; but his companion paced their narrow limits, in his 
moccasins, with quick, impatient treads, his face hanging 
on his breast in dejection, or when lifted, at moments, to 
the idlers at the window, lighted, perhaps, for an instant, 
with the childish aspect of aged forgetfulness, which would 
vanish directly in an expression of deep and obvious anxiety. 

At the close of the day, Edwards was seen at the window, 
in earnest dialogue with his friend ; and after he departed, 
it was thought that he had communicated words of comfort 
to the hunter, who threw himself on his pallet, and was soon 
in a deep sleep. The curious spectators had exhausted the 
conversation of the steward, who had drunk good fellowship 
with half of his acquaintance, and as Hatty was no longer 
in motion, by eight o’clock, Billy Kirby, who was the last 
lounger at.the window, retired into the Templeton Coffee- 
House,” when Hatty rose and hung a blanket before the 
opening, and the prisoners apparently retired for the night. 


CHAPTER XXXV. 


And to avoid the foe’s pursuit, 

With spurring put their cattle to’t ; 

And till all four were out of wind, 

And danger too, ne’er looked behind. 

Hudibras. 

As the shades of evening approached, the jurors, wit- 
nesses, and other attendants on the court, began to dis- 
perse, and before nine o’clock the village was quiet, and 
its streets nearly deserted. At that hour Judge Temple 
and his daughter, followed at a short distance by Louisa 
Grant, walked slowly down the avenue, under the slight 
shadows of the young poplars, holding the following dis- 
course : 

You can best soothe his wounded spirit, my child,” said 
Marmaduke; “but it will be dangerous to touch on the 
nature of his offence; the sanctity of the laws must be 
respected.” 

“Surely, sir,” cried the impatient Elizabeth, “those laws 
that condemn a man like the Leather-stocking to so severe 
a punishment, for an offence that even I must think very 
venial, cannot be perfect in themselves.” 

“ Thou talkest of what thou dost not understand, Eliza- 
beth,” returned her father. “Society cannot exist without ' 
wholesome restraints. Those restraints cannot be inflicted, ; 
without security and respect to the persons of those who ,! 
administer them ; and it would sound ill indeed to report, ] 
that a judge had extended favor to a convicted criminal, ' 
because he had saved the life of his child.” | 

“I see — I see the difficulty of your situation, dear sir,” 
cried the daughter; “but in appreciating the offence of poor ! 
Natty, I cannot separate the minister of the law from the 
man.” 


398 


THE PIONEERS. 


399 


“There thou talkest as a woman, child; it is not for an 
assault on Hiram Doolittle, but for threatening the life of 
a constable, who was in the performance of — 

“It is immaterial whether it be one or the other,’’ inter- 
rupted Miss Temple, with a logic that contained more feel- 
ing than reason; “I know Natty to be innocent, and, 
thinking so, I must think all wrong who oppress him.” 

“His judge among the number! thy father, Elizabeth?” 

“Nay, nay, nay; do not put such questions to me; give 
me my commission, father, and let me proceed to execute it.” 

The J udge paused a moment, smiling fondly on his child, . 
and then dropped his hand affectionately on her shoulder, 
as he answered — 

“Thou hast reason, Bess, and much of it too, but thy 
heart lies too near thy head. But listen : in this pocket- 
book are two hundred dollars. Go to the prison — there 
are none in this place to harm thee — give this note to the 
jailor, and when thou seest Bumppo, say what thou wilt to 
the poor old man; give scope to the feelings of thy warm 
heart ; but try to remember, Elizabeth, that the laws alone 
remove us from the condition of the savages ; that he has 
been criminal, and that his judge was thy father.” 

Miss Temple made no reply, but she pressed the hand 
that held the pocket-book to her bosom, and taking her 
friend by the arm, they issued together from the inclosure 
into the principal street of the village. 

As they pursued their walk in silence, under the row of 
houses, where the deeper gloom of the evening effectually 
concealed their persons, no sound reached them, excepting 
the slow tread of a yoke of oxen, with the rattling of a cart, 
that were moving along the street in the same direction with 
themselves. The figure of the teamster was just discernible 
by the dim light, lounging by the side of his cattle with a 
listless air, as if fatigued by the toil of the day. At the 
corner, where the jail stood, the progress of the ladies 
was impeded, for a moment, by the oxen, who were turned 
up to the side of the building, and given a lock of hay, 
which they had carried on their necks, as a reward for their 
patient labor. The whole of this was so natural, and so 


400 


THE PIONEERS. 


common, that Elizabeth saw nothing to induce a second 
glance at the team, until she heard the teamster speaking 
to his cattle in a low voice : 

Mind yourself, Brindle; will you, sir! will you!’’ 

The language itself was unusual to oxen, with which all 
who dwell in a new country are familiar; but there was 
something in the voice also, that startled Miss Temple. 
On turning the corner, she necessarily approached the man, 
and her look was enabled to detect the person of Oliver 
Edwards, concealed under the coarse garb of a teamster. 
Their eyes met at the same instant, and, notwithstanding 
the gloom, and the enveloping cloak of Elizabeth, the 
recognition was mutual. 

“ Miss Temple ! ” Mr. Edwards ! ” were exclaimed simul- 
taneously, though a feeling that seemed common to both, 
rendered the words nearly inaudible. 

“ Is it possible ! ” exclaimed Edwards, after the moment 
of doubt had passed; ‘‘do I see you so nigh the jail! but 
you are going to the Kectory; I beg pardon. Miss Grant, 
I believe; I did not recognize you at first.” 

The sigh which Louisa uttered was so faint, that it was 
only heard by Elizabeth, who replied quickly — 

“We are going not only to the jail, Mr. Edwards, but 
into it. We wish to show the Leather-stocking that we do 
not forget his services, and that at the same time we must 
be just, we are also grateful. I suppose you are on a simi- 
lar errand; but let me beg that you will give us leave to 
precede you ten minutes. Good night, sir; I — I — am 
quite sorry, Mr. Edwards, to see you reduced to such labor; 
I am sure my father would — ” 

“I shall wait your pleasure, madam,” interrupted the 
youth, coldly. “ May I beg that you will not mention my 
being here? ” 

“ Certainly,” said Elizabeth, returning his bow by a slight 
inclination of her head, and urging the tardy Louisa for- 
ward. As they entered the jailor’s house, however. Miss 
Grant found leisure to whisper — 

“Would it not be well to offer part of your money to 
Oliver? half of it will pay the fine of Bumppo; and he is 


THE PIONEERS. 


401 


SO unused to hardships ! I am sure my father will subscribe 
much of his little pittance, to place him in a station that is 
more worthy of him.” 

The involuntary smile that passed over the features of 
Elizabeth was blended with an expression of deep and heart- 
felt pity. She did not reply, however, and the appearance 
of the jailor soon recalled the thoughts of both to the object 
of their visit. 

The rescue of the ladies, and their consequent interest in 
his prisoner, together with the informal manners that pre- 
vailed in the country, all united to prevent any surprise, 
on the part of the jailor, at their request for admission to 
Bumppo. The note of Judge Temple, however, would have 
silenced all objections, if he had felt them, and he led the 
way without hesitation to the apartment that held the pris- 
oners. The instant the key was put into the lock, the hoarse 
voice of Benjamin was heard, demanding — 

‘‘Yo! hoy! who comes there?” 

^‘Some visitors that youTl be glad to see,” returned the 
jailor. “What have you done to the lock, that it won’t 
turn?” 

“Handsomely, handsomely, master,” cried the steward; 
“I have just drove a nail into a berth alongside of this 
here bolt, as a stopper, d’ye see, so that Master Doo-but- 
little can’t be running in and breezing up another fight 
atwixt us; for, to my account, there’ll be but a ban-yan 
with me soon, seeing that they’ll mulct me of my Spaniards, 
all the same as if I’d over-flogged the lubber. Throw your 
ship into the wind, and lay by for a small matter, will ye? 
and I’ll soon clear a passage.” 

The sounds of hammering gave an assurance that the 
steward was in earnest, and in a short time the lock yielded, 
when the door was opened. 

Benjamin had evidently been anticipating the seizure of 
his money, for he had made frequent demands on the favor- 
ite cask at the “Bold Dragoon,” during the afternoon and 
evening, and was now in that state which by marine im- 
agery is called “half-seas-over.” It was no easy thing to 
destroy the balance of the old tar by the effects of liquor. 


402 


THE PIONEERS. 


for, as he expressed it himself, “ he was too low-rigged not 
to carry sail in all weathers ; but he was precisely in that 
condition which is so expressively termed “ muddy/’ When 
he perceived who the visitors were, he retreated to the side 
of the room where his pallet lay, and, regardless of the 
presence of his young mistress, seated himself on it with 
an air of great sobriety, placing his back firmly against the 
wall. 

“ If you undertake to spoil my locks in this manner, Mr. 
Pump,” said the jailor, “I shall put a stopper, as you call 
it, on your legs, and tie you down to your bed.” 

^‘What for should ye, master?” grumbled Benjamin; 
“ I’ve rode out one squall to-day anchored by the heels, and 
I wants no more of them. Where’s the harm of doing all 
the same as yourself? Leave that there door free outboard, 
and you’ll find no locking inboard, I’ll promise ye.” 

must shut up for the night at nine,” said the jailor, 
^‘and it’s now forty -two minutes past eight.” Replaced 
the little candle on a rough pine-table, and withdrew. 

Leather-stocking ! ” said Elizabeth, when the key of the 
door was turned on them again, my good friend Leather- 
stocking! I have come on a message of gratitude. Had you 
submitted to the search, worthy old man, the death of the 
deer would have been a trifle, and all would have been 
well — ” 

“ Submit to the sarch ! ” interrupted Hatty, raising his face 
from resting on his knees, without rising from the corner 
where he had seated himself; “d’ye think, gal, I would 
let such a varmint into my hut? Ho, no — I wouldn’t have 
opened the door to your own sweet countenance then. But 
they are wilcome to sarch among the coals and ashes now; 
they’ll find only some such heap as is to be seen at every 
pot-ashery in the mountains.” 

The old man dropped his face again on one hand, and 
seemed to be lost in melancholy. 

“The hut can be rebuilt, and made better than before,” 
returned Miss Temple ; “ and it shall be my office to see it 
done, when your imprisonment is ended.” 

“Can ye raise the dead, child?” said Hatty, in a sor- 


THE PIONEERS. 


403 


rowful voice: “can ye go into the place where youVe laid 
your fathers, and mothers, and children, and gather together 
their ashes, and make the same men and women of theroTas 
afore? You do not know what ’tis to lay your head for 
more than forty years under the cover of the same logs, and 
to look on the same things for the better part of a man’s 
life. You are young yet, child, but you are one of the 
most precious of God’s creators. I had a hope for ye that 
it might come to pass, but it’s all over now; this put to 
that, will drive the thing quite out of his mind for ever.” 

Miss Temple must have understood the meaning of the 
old man better than the other listeners ; for, while Louisa 
stood innocently by her side, commiserating the griefs of 
the hunter, she bent her head aside, so as to conceal her 
features. The action and the feeling that caused it lasted 
but a moment. 

“Other logs, and better, though, can be had, and shall 
be found for you, my old defender,” she continued. “ Your 
confinement will soon be over, and, before that time arrives, 
I shall have a house prepared for you, where you may spend 
the close of your harmless life in ease and plenty.” 

“Ease and plenty! house!” repeated Natty, slowly. 
“You mean well, you mean well, and I quite mourn that 
it cannot be ; but he has seen me a sight and a laughing- 
stock for — ” 

“Damn your stocks,” said Benjamin, flourishing his bottle 
with one hand, from which he had been taking hasty and 
repeated draughts, while he made gestures of disdain with 
the other; “who cares for his bilboes? there’s a leg that’s 
been stuck up an end like a jib-boom for an hour, d’ye see, 
and what’s it the worse for’t, ha! canst tell me, what’s it 
the worser, ha ! ” 

“ I believe you forget, Mr. Pump, in whose presence you 
are,” said Elizabeth. 

“Forget you. Miss Lizzy,” returned the steward; “if I 
do, dam’me; you are not to be forgot, like Goody Pretty- 
bones, up at the big house there. I say, old sharp-shooter, 
she may have pretty bones, but I can’t say so much for her 
flesh, d’ye see, for she looks somewhat like an atomy with 


404 


THE PIONEERS. 


another man’s jacket on. Now, for the skin of her face, 
it’s all the same as a new topsail with a taut bolt-rope, 
being snug at the leaches, but all in a bight about the inner 
cloths.” 

Peace — I command you to be silent, sir ! ” said Eliza- 
beth. 

“ Aj, ay, ma’am,” returned the steward. “You didn’t 
say I shouldn’t drink, though.” 

“We will not speak of what is to become of others,” said 
Miss Temple, turning again to the hunter — “ but of your 
own fortunes. Natty. It shall be my care to see that you 
pass the rest of your days in ease and plenty.” 

“ Ease and plenty ! ” again repeated the Leather-stocking ; 
“ what ease can there be to an old man, who must walk a 
mile across the open fields, before he can find a shade to 
hide him from a scorching sun ! or what plenty is there where 
you may hunt a day, and not start a buck, or see anything 
bigger than a mink, or maybe a stray fox! Ah! I shall 
have a hard time after them very beavers, for this fine. I 
must go low toward the Pennsylvany line in search of the 
creaters, maybe a hundred mile ; for they are not to be got 
hereaway. No, no, — your betterments and clearings have 
druv the knowing things out of the country ; and instead of 
beaver-dams, which is the nater of the animal, and accord- 
ing to Providence, you turn back the waters over the low 
grounds with your mill-dams, as if ’twas in man to stay the 
drops from going where He wills them to go. Benny, unless 
you stop your hand from going so often to your mouth, you 
won’t be ready to start when the time comes.” 

“Harkee, Master Bump-ho,” said the steward; “don’t 
you fear for Ben. When the watch is called, set me on my 
legs, and give me the bearings and distance of where you 
want to steer, and I’ll carry sail with the best of you, I 
will.” 

“The time has come now,” said the hunter, listening; “I 
hear the horns of the oxen rubbing ag’in the side of the 
jail.” 

“Well, say the word, and then heave ahead, shipmate,” 
said Benjamin. 


THE PIONEERS. 


405 


You won’t betray us, gal?” said Natty, looking simply 
into the face of Elizabeth — ‘‘ you won’t betray an old man, 
who craves to breathe the clear air of heaven? I mean no 
harm; and if the law says that I must pay^the hundred 
dollars. I’ll take the season through, but it shall be forth- 
coming; and this good man will help me.” 

^‘You catch them,” said Benjamin, with a sweeping 
gesture of his arm, and if they get' away again, call me a 
slink, that’s all.” 

‘‘But what mean you?” cried the wondering Elizabeth. 
“ Here you must stay for thirty days ; but I have the money 
for your fine in this purse. Take it; pay it in the morning, 
and summon patience for your month. I will come often 
to see you, with my friend; we will make up your clothes 
with our own hands ; indeed, indeed, you shall be comfort- 
able.” 

“Would ye, children?” said Natty, advancing across the 
floor with an air of kindness, and taking the hand of Eliza- 
beth; “would ye be so kearful of an old man, and just for 
shooting the beast which cost him nothing? Such things 
doesn’t run in the blood, I believe, for you seem not to 
forget a favor. Your little fingers couldn’t do much on a 
buckskin, nor be you used to such a thread as sinews. But 
if he hasn’t got past hearing, he shall hear it and know it, 
that he may see, like me, there is some who know how to 
remember a kindness.” 

“Tell him nothing,” cried Elizabeth, earnestly; “if you 
love me, if you regard my feelings, tell him nothing. It is 
of yourself only I would talk, and for yourself only I act. 
I grieve. Leather-stocking, that the law requires that you 
should be detained here so long; but, after all, it will be 
only a short month, and — ” 

“A month!” exclaimed Natty, opening his mouth with 
his usual laugh; “not a day, nor a night, nor an hour, gal. 
Judge Temple may sintence, but he can’t keep, without a 
better dungeon than this. I was taken once by the Erench, 
and they put sixty -two of us in a block-house, nigh hand to 
old Erontenac; but ’twas easy to cut through a pine log to 
them that was used to timber.” The hunter paused, and 


406 


THE PIONEERS. 


looked cautiously around the room, when, laughing again, 
he shoved the steward gently from his post, and removing 
the bed-clothes, discovered a hole recently cut in the logs 
with a mallet and chisel. “ It’s only a kick, and the out- 
side piece is off, and then — ” 

^‘Off ! ay, off! ” cried Benjamin, rousing from his stupor; 
^^well, here’s off. Ay! ay! you catch ’em, and I’ll hold 
onto them said beaver-hats.” 

“I fear this lad will trouble me much,” said ISTatty; 
“ ’twill be a hard pull for the mountain, should they take 
the scent soon, and he is not in a state of mind to run.” 

Eun ! ” echoed the steward ; no, sheer alongside, and 
let’s have a fight of it.” 

“ Peace ! ” ordered Elizabeth. 

‘^Ay, ay, ma’am.” 

^‘You will not leave us, surely. Leather-stocking,” con- 
tinued Miss Temple; “I beseech you, reflect that you will 
be driven to the woods entirely, and that you are fast get- 
ting old. Be patient for a little time, when you can go abroad 
openly, and with honor.” 

^‘Is there beaver to be catched here, gal?” 

“If not, here is money to discharge the fine, and in a 
month you are free. See, here it is in gold.” 

“Gold!” said Natty, with a kind of childish curiosity; 
“it’s long sin’ I’ve seen a gold piece. We used to get the 
broad joes, in the old war, as plenty as the bears be now. 
I remember there was a man in Dieskau’s army, that was 
killed, who had a dozen of the shining things sewed up in 
his shirt. I didn’t handle them myself, but I seen them 
cut out with my own eyes ; they was bigger and brighter 
than them be.” 

“These are English guineas, and are yours,” said Eliza- 
beth; “an earnest of what shall be done for you.” 

“Me! why should you give me this treasure?” said Natty, 
looking earnestly at the maiden. 

“Why! have you not saved my life? did you not rescue 
me from the jaws of the beast?” exclaimed Elizabeth, veil- 
ing her eyes, as if to hide some hideous object from her 
view. 


THE PIONEERS. 


407 


The hunter took the money, and continued turning it in 
his hand for some time, piece by piece, talking aloud during 
the operation. 

“ There’s a rifle, they say, out on the Cherry Valley, that 
will carry a hundred rods and kill. I’ve seen good guns in 
my day, but none quite equal to that. A hundred rods with 
any sartainty is great shooting! Well, well — I’m old, and 
the gun I have will answer my time. Here, child, take 
back your gold. But the hour has come; I hear him talk- 
ing to the cattle, and I must be going. You won’t tell of 
us, gal — you won’t tell of us, will ye?” 

“ Tell of you ! ” echoed Elizabeth. But take the money, 
old man; take the money, even if you go into the moun- 
tains.” 

“ No, no,” said Natty, shaking his head kindly ; “ I would 
not rob you so for twenty rifles. But there’s one thing you 
can do for me, if ye will, that no other is at hand to do.” 

^^Name it — name it.” 

“Why, it’s only to buy a canister of powder; ’twill cost 
two silver dollars. Benny Pump has the money ready, but 
we daren’t come into the town to get it. Nobody has it 
but the Frenchman. ’Tis of the best, and just suits a 
rifle. Will you get it for me, gal? say, will you get it 
for me?” 

“ Will I ! I will bring it to you. Leather-stocking, though 
I toil a day in quest of you through the woods. But where 
shall I find you, and how?” 

“Where! ” said Natty, musing a moment — “to-morrow, 
on the Vision; on the very top of the Vision, I’ll meet you, 
child, just as the sun gets over our heads. See that it’s the 
fine grain; you’ll know it by the gloss and the price.” 

“I will do it,” said Elizabeth, firmly. 

Natty now seated himself, and, placing his feet in the 
hole, with a slight effort he opened a passage through into 
the street. The ladies heard the rustling of hay, and well 
understood the reason why Edwards was in the capacity of 
a teamster. 

“Come, Benny,” said the hunter; “’twill be no darker 
to-night, for the moon will rise in an hour,” 


408 


THE PIONEERS. 


“ Stay ! exclaimed Elizabeth j it should not be said 
that you escaped in the presence of the daughter of Judge 
Temple. Return, Leather-stocking, and let us retire, before 
you execute your plan.” 

Natty was about to reply, when the approaching footsteps 
of the jailor announced the necessity of his immediate re- 
turn. He had barely time to regain his feet, and to conceal 
the hole with the bed-clothes, across which Benjamin very 
opportunely fell, before the key was turned, and the door 
of the apartment opened. 

“Isn’t Miss Temple ready to go?” said the civil jailor: 
“it’s the usual hour for locking up.” 

“I follow you, sir,” returned Elizabeth; “good night, 
Leather-stocking. ” 

“It’s a fine grain, gal, and I think ’twill carry lead 
further than common. I am getting old, and can’t follow 
up the game with the step that I used to could.” 

Miss Temple waved her hand for silence, and preceded 
Louisa and the keeper from the apartment. The man turned 
the key once, and observed that he would return and secure 
his prisoners, when he had lighted the ladies to the street. 
Accordingly, they parted at the door of the building, when 
the jailor retired to his dungeons, and the ladies walked, 
with throbbing hearts, towards the corner. 

“Now the Leather-stocking refuses the money,” whis- 
pered Louisa, “ it can all. be given to Mr. Edwards, and that 
added to — ” 

“Listen!” said Elizabeth; “I hear the rustling of the 
hay; they are escaping at this moment. Oh! they will be 
detected instantly ! ” 

By this time they were at the corner, where Edwards and 
Natty were in the act of drawing the almost helpless body 
of Benjamin through the aperture. The oxen had started 
back from their hay, and were standing with their heads 
down the street, leaving room for the party to act in. 

“Throw the hay into the cart,” said Edwards, “or they 
will suspect how it has been done. Quick, that they may 
not see it.” 

Natty had just returned from executing this order, when 


THE PIONEERS. 


409 


the light of the keeper's candle shone through the hole, and 
instantly his voice was heard in the jail, exclaiming for his 
prisoners. 

“ What is to be done now?" said Edwards — “ this drunken 
fellow will cause our detection, and we have not a moment 
to spare." 

“Who's drunk, ye lubber!" muttered the steward. 

“ A break-jail ! a break-jail ! " shouted five or six voices 
from within. 

“We must leave him," said Edwards. 

“ 'Twouldn't be kind, lad," returned Natty; “he took half 
the disgrace of the stocks on himself to-day, and the creater 
has feeling." 

At this moment two or three men were heard issuing from 
the door of the “ Bold Dragoon, " and among them the voice 
of Billy Kirby. 

“There's no moon yet," cried the wood-chopper; “but 
it's a clear night. Come, who's for home? Hark! what a 
rumpus they're kicking up in the jail — here's go and see 
what it's about." 

“We shall be lost," said Edwards, “if we don't drop this 
man." 

At that instant Elizabeth moved close to him, and said 
rapidly, in a low voice — 

“ Lay him in the cart, and start the oxen ; no one will 
look there." 

“There's a woman's quickness in the thought," said the 
youth. 

The proposition was no sooner made than executed. The 
steward was seated on the hay, and enjoined to hold his 
peace, and apply the goad that was placed in his hand, 
while the oxen were urged on. So soon as this arrange- 
ment was completed, Edwards and the hunter stole along 
the houses for a short distance, when they disappeared 
through an opening that led into the rear of the buildings. 
The oxen were in brisk motion, and presently the cries of 
pursuit were heard in the street. The ladies quickened 
their pace, with a wish to escape the crowd of constables 
and idlers that were a]3proaching, some execrating, and 


410 


THE PIONEERS. 


some laughing at the exploit of the prisoners. In the 
confusion, the voice of Kirby was plainly distinguishable 
above all the others, shouting and swearing that he would 
have the fugitives, threatening to bring back Natty in one 
pocket, and Benjamin in the other. 

^‘Spread yourselves, men,” he cried, as he passed the 
ladies, his heavy feet sounding along the street like the 
tread of a dozen j ‘‘spread yourselves; to the mountains; 
they’ll be in the mountain in a quarter of an hour, and then 
look out for a long rifle.” 

His cries were echoed from twenty mouths, for not only 
the jail, but the taverns had sent forth their numbers, some 
earnest in the pursuit, and others joining it as in sport. 

As Elizabeth turned in at her father’s gate, she saw the 
wood-chopper stop at the cart, when she gave Benjamin up 
for lost. While they were hurrying up the walk, two fig- 
ures, stealing cautiously but quickly under the shades of 
the trees, met the eyes of the ladies, and in a moment 
Edwards and the hunter crossed their path. 

“Miss Temple, I may never see you again,” exclaimed 
the youth ; “ let me thank you for all your kindness ; you 
do not, cannot know, my motives.” 

“ Fly ! fly ! ” cried Elizabeth : “ the village is alarmed. 
Do not be found conversing with me at such a moment, and 
in these grounds.” 

“Nay, I must speak, though detection were certain.” 

“Your retreat to the bridge is already cut off; before you 
can gain the wood your pursuers will be there. If — ” 

“If what?” cried the youth. “Your advice has saved 
me once already; I will follow it to death.” 

“The street is now silent and vacant,” said Elizabeth, 
after a pause; “cross it, and you will find my father’s boat 
in the lake. It would be easy to land from it where you 
please in the hills.” 

“But Judge Temple might complain of the trespass.” 

“His daughter shall be accountable, sir.” 

The youth uttered something in a low voice, that was 
heard only by Elizabeth, and turned to execute what she 
had suggested. As they were separating. Natty approached 
the f emaleS; and said — 


THE PIONEERS. 


411 


“You’ll remember the canister of powder, children. 
Them beavers must be had, and I and the pups be getting 
old; we want the best of ammunition.” 

“Come, Natty,” said Edwards, impatiently. 

“ Coming, lad, coming. God bless you, young ones, both 
of ye, for ye mean well and kindly to the old man.” 

The ladies paused until they had lost sight of the retreat- 
ing figures, when they immediately entered the mansion- 
house. 

While this scene was passing in the walk, Kirby had 
overtaken the cart, which was his own and had been driven 
by Edwards without asking the owner, from the place where 
the patient oxen usually stood at evening, waiting the 
pleasure of their master. 

“Woa — come hither. Golden,” he cried; “why, how 
come you off the end of the bridge, where I left you, 
dummies?” 

“Heave ahead,” muttered Benjamin, giving a random 
blow with his lash, that alighted on the shoulder of the 
other. 

“Who the devil be you?” cried Billy, turning round in 
surprise, but unable to distinguish, in the dark, the hard 
visage that was just peering over the cart-rails. 

“Who be I? why I’m helmsman abroad of this here craft, 
d’ye see, and a straight wake I’m making of it. Ay, ay ! 
I’ve got the bridge right ahead, and the bilboes dead-aft; I 
calls that good steerage, boy. Heave ahead.” 

“Lay your lash in the right spot, Mr. Benny Pump,” 
said the wood-chopper, “ or I’ll put you in the palm of my 
hand, and box your ears. Where be you going with my 
team?” 

“Team!” 

“Ay, my cart and oxen.” 

“ Why, you must know. Master Kirby, that the Leather- 
stocking and I — that’s Benny Pump — you knows Ben? — 
well, Benny and I — no, me and Benny ; dam’me if I know 
how ’tis ; but some of us are bound after a cargo of beaver- 
skins, d’ye see, and so we’ve pressed the cart to ship them 
’ome in. I say, Master Kirby, what a lubberly oar you pull 


412 


THE PIONEERS. 


— you handle an oar, boy, pretty much as a cow would a 
musket, or a lady would a marling-spike.’’ 

Billy had discovered the state of the steward’s mind, and 
he walked for some time alongside of the cart, musing with 
himself, when he took the goad from Benjamin (who fell 
back on the. hay and was soon asleep), and drove his cattle 
down the street, over the bridge, and up the mountain, 
towards a clearing, in which he was to work the next day, 
without any other interruption than a few hasty questions 
from parties of the constables. 

Elizabeth stood for an hour at the window of her room, 
and saw the torches of the pursuers gliding along the side of 
the mountain, and heard their shouts and alarms; but, at 
the end of that time, the last party returned, wearied and 
disappointed, and the village became as still as when she 
issued from the gate on her mission to the jail. 


I 


CHAPTER XXXVI. 


“And I could weep” — th’ Oneida chief 
His descant wildly thus begun — 

“ But that I may not stain with grief 
The death song of my father’s son.” 

Gertrude of Wyoming. 

It was yet early on the following morning, when Eliza- 
beth and Louisa met by appointment, and proceeded to the 
store of Monsieur Le Quoi, in order to redeem the pledge 
the former had given to the Leather-stocking. The people 
were again assembling for the business of the day, but the 
hour was too soon for a crowd, and the ladies found the 
place in possession of its polite owner, Billy Kirby, one 
female customer, and the boy who did the duty of helper or 
clerk. 

Monsieur Le Quoi was perusing a packet of letters with 
i manifest delight, while the wood-chopper, with one hand 
I thrust in his bosom, and the other in the folds of his jacket, 

: holding an axe under his right arm, stood sympathizing in 
: the Frenchman’s pleasure with good-natured interest. The 
freedom of manners that prevailed in the new settlements 
commonly levelled all difference in rank, and with it, fre- 
quently, all considerations of education and intelligence. 
At the time the ladies entered the store, they were unseen 
by the owner, who was saying to Kirby — 

^^Ah! ha! Monsieur Beel, dis lettair mak me de most 
happi of mans. Ah! ma chere France! I vill see you 
aga’n.” 

“ I rejoice. Monsieur, at anything that contributes to your 
happiness,” said Elizabeth, but hope we are not going to 
Ipse you entirely.” 


413 


414 


THE PIONEERS. 


The complaisant shopkeeper changed the language to 
French, and recounted rapidly to Elizabeth his hopes of 
being permitted to return to his own country. Habit had, 
however, so far altered the manners of this pliable person- 
age, that he continued to serve the wood-chopper, who was 
in quest of some tobacco, while he related to his more gentle 
visitor the happy change that had taken place in the dis- 
positions of his own countrymen. 

The amount of it all was, that Mr. Le Quoi, who had fled 
from his own country more through terror than because he 
was offensive to the ruling powers in France, had succeeded 
at length in getting an assurance that his return to the 
West Indies would be unnoticed; and the Frenchman, who 
had sunk into the character of a country shopkeeper with 
so much grace, was about to emerge again from his obscu- 
rity into his proper level in society. 

We need not repeat the civil things that passed between 
the parties on this occasion, nor recount the endless repeti- 
tions of sorrow that the delighted Frenchman expressed at 
being compelled to quit the society of Miss Temple. Eliza- 
beth took an opportunity, during this expenditure of polite 
expressions, to purchase the powder privately of the boy, 
who bore the generic appellation of Jonathan. Before they 
parted, however, Mr. Le Quoi, who seemed to think that he 
had not said enough, solicited the honor of a private inter- 
view with the heiress, with a gravity in his air that an- 
nounced the importance of the subject. After conceding 
the favor, and appointing a inore favorable time for the 
meeting, Elizabeth succeeded in getting out of the store, 
into which the countrymen now began to enter, as usual, 
where they met with the same attention and bienseance as 
formerly. 

Elizabeth and Louisa pursued their walk as far as the 
bridge in profound silence ; but when they reached that 
place the latter stopped, and appeared anxious to utter 
something that her diffidence suppressed. 

^^Are you ill, Louisa?’’ exclaimed Miss Temple; ^‘had 
we not better return, and seek another opportunity to meet 
the old man ? ” 


THE PIONEERS. 


415 


“Not ill, but terrified. Oh! I never, never can go on 
that hill again with you only. I am not equal to it, indeed 
I am not.” 

This was an unexpected declaration to Elizabeth, who, 

; although she experienced no idle apprehension of a danger 
f that no longer existed, felt most sensitively all the delicacy 
of maiden modesty. She stood for some time, deeply re- 
flecting within herself ; but, sensible it was a time for action 
instead of reflection, she struggled to shake off her hesita- 
tion, and replied firmly — 

“Well, then it must be done by me alone. There is no 
other than yourself to be trusted, or poor old Leather-stock- 
ing will be discovered. Wait for me in the edge of these 
woods, that at least I may not be seen strolling in the hills 
by myself just now. One would not wish to create remarks, 
Louisa — if — if — You will wait for me, dear girl ? ” 

I “A year, in sight of the village. Miss Temple,” returned 
i the agitated Louisa, “but do not, do not ask me to go on 
that hill.” 

Elizabeth found that her companion was really unable to 
proceed, and they completed their arrangement by posting 
Louisa out of the observation of the people who occasionally 
passed, but nigh the road, and in plain view of the whole 
valley. Miss Temple then proceeded alone. She ascended 
the road which has been so often mentioned in our narra- 
tive, with an elastic and firm step, fearful that the delay in 
the store of Mr. Le Quoi, and the time necessary for reach- 
ing the summit, would prevent her being punctual to the 
I appointment. Whenever she passed an opening in the 
bushes, she would pause for breath, or, perhaps, drawn 
from her pursuit by the picture at her feet, would linger a 
moment to gaze at the beauties of the valley. The long 
drought had, however, changed its coat of verdure to a hue 
of brown, and, though the same localities were there, the 
view wanted the lively and cheering aspect of early summer. 
Even the heavens seemed to share in the dried appearance 
of the earth, for the sun was concealed by a haziness in the 
atmosphere, which looked like a thin smoke without a par- 
ticle of moisture, if such a thing were possible. The blue 


416 


THE PIONEERS. 


sky was scarcely to be seen, though, now and then there was 
a faint lighting up in spots, through which masses of rolling 
vapor could be discerned gathering around the horizon, as if 
nature were struggling to collect her floods for the relief of 
man. The very atmosphere that Elizabeth inhaled was hot 
and dry, and by the time she reached the point where the 
course led her from the highway, she experienced a sensa- 
tion like suffocation. But, disregarding her feelings, she 
hastened to execute her mission, dwelling on nothing but 
the disappointment, and even the helplessness, the hunter 
would experience, without her aid. 

On the summit of the mountain which Judge Temple had 
named the Vision,’’ a little spot had been cleared, in order 
that a better view might be obtained of the village and the 
valley. At this point Elizabeth understood the hunter she 
was to meet him ; and thither she urged her way, as expedi- 
tiously as the difficulty of the ascent, and the impediments 
of a forest, in a state of nature, would admit. Numberless 
were the fragments of rocks, trunks of fallen trees, and 
branches, with which she had to contend ; but every diffi- 
culty vanished before her resolution, and by her own watch, 
she stood on the desired spot several minutes before the. 
appointed hour. 

After resting a moment on the end of a log. Miss Temple 
cast a glance about her in quest of her old friend, but he 
was evidently not in the clearing; she arose and walked 
around its skirts, examining every place where she thought 
it probable Natty might deem it prudent to conceal himself. 
Her search was fruitless ; and, after exhausting not only 
herself, but her conjectures, in efforts to discover or imagine 
his situation, she ventured to trust her voice in that solitary 
place. 

Natty! Leather-stocking! old man!” she called aloud, 
in every direction ; but no answer was given, excepting the 
reverberations of her own clear tones, as they were echoed 
in the parched forest. 

Elizabeth approached the brow of the mountain, where 
a faint cry, like the noise produced by striking the hand 
against the mouth, at the same time that the breath is 


THE PIONEERS. 


417 


strongly exhaled, was heard answering to her own voice. 
Not doubting in the least that it was the Leather-stocking 
lying in wait for her, and who gave that signal to indicate 
the place where he was to be found, Elizabeth descended 
for near a hundred feet, until she gained a little natural 
terrace, thinly scattered with trees, that grew in the fissures 
of the rocks, which were covered by a scanty soil. She had 
advanced to the edge of this platform, and was gazing over 
the perpendicular precipice that formed its face, when a 
rustling among the dry leaves near her drew her eyes in 
another direction. Our heroine certainly was startled by 
the object that she then saw, but a moment restored her 
self-possession, and she advanced firmly, and with some 
interest in her manner, to the spot. 

Mohegan was seated on the trunk of a fallen oak, with 
his tawny visage turned towards her, and his eyes fixed on 
her face with an expression of wildness and fire, that would 
have terrified a less resolute female. His blanket had fallen 
, from his shoulders, and was lying in folds around him, 
j leaving his breast, arms, and most of his body bare. The 
I medallion of Washington reposed on his chest, a badge of 
I distinction that Elizabeth well knew he only produced on 
; great and solemn occasions. But the whole appearance of 
the aged chief was more studied than common, and in some 
particulars it was terrific. • The long black hair was plaited 
on his head, falling away, so as to expose his high forehead 
and piercing eyes. In the enormous incisions of his ears 
were entwined ornaments of silver, beads, and porcupine^s 
quills, mingled in a rude taste, and after the Indian fashions. 

: A large drop, composed of similar materials, was suspended 
from the cartilage of his nose, and, falling below his lips, 
rested on his chin. Streaks of red paint crossed his wrinkled 
brow, and were traced down his cheeks, with such variations 
in the lines as caprice or custom suggested. His body was 
also colored in the same manner ; the whole exhibiting an 
Indian warrior, prepared for some event of more than usual 
moment. 

John ! how fare you, worthy John ? ” said Elizabeth, as 
she approached him ; you have long been a stranger in the 


418 


THE PIONEERS. 


village. You promised me a willow basket, and I have long 
had a shirt of calico in readiness for you.’’ 

The Indian looked steadily at her for some time without 
answering, and then, shaking his head, he replied, in his 
low, guttural tones — 

John’s hand can make baskets no more — he wants no 
shirt.” 

But if he should, he will know where to come for it,” 
returned Miss Temple. Indeed, old John, I feel as if you 
had a natural right to order what you will from us.” 

“ Daughter,” said the Indian, listen : — Six times ten 
hot summers have passed, since John was young; tall like 
a pine ; straight like the bullet of Hawk-eye ; strong as the 
buffalo ; spry as the cat of the mountain. He was strong, 
and a warrior like the Young Eagle. If his tribe wanted 
to track the Maquas for many suns, the eye of Chingach- 
gook found the print of their moccasins. If the people 
feasted and were glad, as they counted the scalps of their 
enemies, it was on his pole they hung. If the squaws cried 
because there was no meat for their children, he was the 
first in the chase. His bullet was swifter than the deer. 
Daughter, then Chingachgook struck his tomahawk into the 
trees ; it was to tell the lazy ones where to find him and the 
Mingos — but he made no baskets.” 

“Those times have gone by, old warrior,” returned Eliza- 
beth; “since then your people have disappeared, and, in 
place of chasing your enemies, you have learned to fear God 
and to live at peace.” 

“Stand here, daughter, where you can see the great 
spring, the wigwams of your father, and the land on the 
crooked river. J ohn was young when his tribe gave away 
the country, in council, from where the blue mountain stands 
above the water, to where the Susquehanna is hid by the 
trees. All this, and all that grew in it, and all that walked 
over it, and all that fed there, they gave to the Fire-eater — 
for they loved him. He was strong, and they were women, 
and he helped them. No Delaware would kill a deer that 
ran in his woods, nor stop a bird that flew over his land ; 
for it was his. Has J ohn lived in peace ? Daughter, since 


THE PIONEERS. 


419 


John was young, he has seen the white man from Frontenac 
come down on his white brothers at Albany and fight. Did 
they fear God ? He has seen his English and his American 
fathers burying their tomahawks in each other’s brains, for 
this very land. Did they fear God, and live in peace ? He 
has seen the land pass away from the Fire-eater, and his chil- 
dren, and the child of his child, and a new chief set over 
the country. Did they live in peace who did this ? did they 
fear God ? ” 

Such is the custom of the whites, John. Do not the 
Delawares fight, and exchange their lands for powder, and 
blankets, and' merchandise ? ” 

The Indian turned his dark eyes on his companion, and 
kept them there with a scrutiny that alarmed her a little. 

Where are the blankets and merchandise that bought 
the right of the Fire-eater ? ” he replied, in a more animated 
voice; ^^are they with him in his wigwam? Did they say 
to him. Brother, sell us your land, and take this gold, this 
silver, these blankets, these rifies, or even this rum ? No ; 
they tore it from him, as a scalp is torn from an enemy ; 
and they that did it looked not behind them, to see whether 
he lived or died. Do such men live in peace, and fear the 
Great Spirit ? ” 

^^But you hardly understand the circumstances,” said 
Elizabeth, more embarrassed than she would own, even to 
herself. If you knew our laws and customs better, you 
would judge differently of our acts. Do not believe evil of 
my father, old Mohegan, for he is just and good.” 

The brother of Miquon is good, and he will do right. 
I have said it to Hawk-eye — I have said it to the Young 
Eagle, that the brother of Miquon would do justice.” 

Whom call you the Young Eagle ? ” said Elizabeth, 
averting her face from the gaze of the Indian, as she 
asked the question ; whence comes he, and what are his 
rights ? ” 

Has my daughter lived so long with him to ask this ques- 
tion ? ” returned the Indian, warily. “ Old age freezes up 
the blood, as the frosts cover the great spring in winter; 
but youth keeps the streams of the blood open like a sun in 


420 


THE PIONEERS. 


tlie time of blossoms. Tbe Young Eagle has eyes ; had he 
no tongue ? 

The loveliness to which the old warrior alluded was in no 
degree diminished by his allegorical speech ; for the blushes 
of the maiden who listened covered her burning_ cheeks, till 
her dark eyes seemed to glow with their reflection ; but, after 
struggling a moment with shame, she laughed, as if unwill- 
ing to understand him seriously, and replied in pleasantry — 

^^Not to make me the mistress of his secret. He is too 
much of a Delaware to tell his secret thoughts to a woman.’’ 

Daughter, the Great Spirit made your father with a white 
skin, and he made mine with a red ; but he colored both their 
hearts with blood. When young, it is swift and warm ; but 
when old, it is still and cold. Is there difference below the 
skin ? Ho. Once John had a woman. She was the mother 
of so many sons ” — he raised his hand with three fingers 
elevated — ^^and she had daughters that would have made 
the young Delawares happy. She was kind, daughter, and 
what I said she did. You have different fashions ; but do 
you think John did not love the wife of his youth — the 
mother of his children ? ” 

^^And what has become of your family, John, your wife 
and your children ? ” asked Elizabeth, touched by the Ind- 
ian’s manner. 

Where is the ice that covered the great spring ? It is 
melted, and gone with the waters. John has lived till all 
his people have left him for the land of spirits ; his time has 
come, and he is ready.” 

Mohegan dropped his head in his blanket, and sat in si- 
lence. Miss Temple knew not what to say. She wished 
to draw the thoughts of the old warrior from his gloomy 
recollections, but there was a dignity in his sorrow, and in 
his fortitude, that repressed her efforts to speak. After a 
long pause, however, she renewed the discourse, by asking — 

Where is the Leather-stocking, John ? I have brought 
this canister of powder at his request ; but he is nowhere to 
be seen. Will you take charge of it, and see it delivered ? ” 

The Indian raised his head slowly, and looked earnestly 
at the gift, which she put into his hand. 


4 

I 










THE PIONEERS. 


421 


This is the great enemy of my nation. Without this, 
when could the white man drive the Delawares ? Daughter, 
the Great Spirit gave your fathers to know how to make 
guns and powder, that they might sweep the Indians from 
the land. There will soon be no red-skin in the country. 
When J ohn has gone,- the last will leave these hills, and his 
family will be dead.^’ The aged warrior stretched his body 
forward, leaning an elbow on his knee, and appeared to be 
taking a parting look at the objects of the vale, which were 
still visible through the misty atmosphere, though the air 
seemed to thicken at each moment around Miss Temple, who 
became conscious of an increased difficulty of respiration. 
The eye of Mohegan changed gradually from its sorrowful 
expression to a look of wildness that might be supposed to 
border on the inspiration of a prophet, as he continued — 
^^But he will go to the country where his fathers have 
met. The game shall be plenty as the fish in the lakes. 
No woman shall cry for meat ; no Mingo can ever come. 
The chase shall be for children ; and all just red men shall 
live together as brothers.” 

John ! this is not the heaven of a Christian ! ” cried Miss 
Temple; ^^you deal now in the superstition of your fore- 
fathers.” 

Fathers ! sons ! ” said Mohegan with firmness — ^^all gone 
— all gone ! — I have no son but the Young Eagle, and he has 
the blood of a white man.” 

^^Tell me, John,” said Elizabeth, willing to draw his 
thoughts to other subjects, and at the same time yielding 
to her own powerful interest in the youth; ‘^who is this 
Mr. Edwards? why are you so fond of him, and whence 
does he come ? ” 

The Indian started at the question, which evidently re- 
called his recollection to earth. Taking her hand, he drew 
Miss Temple to a seat beside him, and pointed to the country 
beneath them — 

See, daughter,” he said, directing her looks towards the 
north ; as far as your young eyes can see, it was the land of 
his — ” 

But immense volumes of smoke at that moment rolled 


422 


THE PIONEERS. 


over their heads, and, whirling in the eddies formed by the 
mountains, interposed a barrier to their sight, while he was 
speaking. Startled by this circumstance. Miss Temple 
sprang on her feet, and turning her eyes towards the summit 
of the mountain, she beheld it covered by a similar canopy, 
while a roaring sound was heard in the forest above her like 
the rushing of winds. 

^^What means it, John! she exclaimed; ^^we are en- 
veloped in smoke, and I feel a heat like the glow of a 
furnace.’’ 

Before the Indian could reply, a voice was heard crying 
in the woods — 

John! where are you, old Mohegan! the woods are on 
fire, and you have but a minute for escape.” 

The chief put his hand before his mouth, and making it 
play on his lips, produced the kind of noise that had at- 
tracted Elizabeth to the place, when a quick and hurried 
step was heard dashing through the dried underbrush and 
bushes, and presently Edwards rushed to his side, with 
horror in every feature. 


I 


CHAPTEE XXXVII. 


. Love rules the court, the camp, the grove. 

Lay of the Last Minstrel. 

“ It would have been sad, indeed, to lose you in suck a 
manner, my old ^friend,’’ said Oliver, catching his breath for 
utterance. and away ! even now we may be too late; 

I ' the flames are circling round the point of the rock below, 
and, unless we can pass there, our only chance must be over 
the precipice. Away! away 1 shake off your apathy, John; 
now is the time of need.’’ 

Mohegan pointed towards Elizabeth, who, forgetting her 
danger, had shrunk back to a projection of the rock as soon 
as she recognized the sounds of Edwards’s voice, and said 
with something like awakened animation — 

Save her — leave John to die.” 

Her 1 whom mean you ? ” cried the youth, turning 
quickly to the place the other indicated ; but when he 
saw the flgure of Elizabeth bending towards him in an at- 
titude that powerfully spoke terror, blended with reluctance 
to meet him in such a place, the shock deprived him of 
speech. 

Miss Temple ! ” he cried, .when he found words ; you 
here I is such a death reserved for you 1 ” 

^‘Xo, no, no — no death, I hope, for any of us, Mr. Ed- 
wards,” she replied, endeavoring to speak calmly : there is 
’ smoke, but no fire to harm us. Let us endeavor to retire.” 

Take my arm,” said Edwards ; “ there must be an open- 
ing in some direction for your retreat. Are you equal to the 
effort ? ” 

Certainly. You surely magnify the danger, Mr. Ed- 
wards. Lead me out the way you came.” 

423 


424 


THE PIONEERS. 


I will — I will/’ cried the youth with a kind of hysterical 
utterance. hTo, no — there is no danger — I have alarmed 
you unnecessarily.” 

But shall we leave the Indian — can we leave him, as he 
says, to die ? ” 

An expression of painful emotion crossed the face of the 
young man ; he stopped, and cast a longing look at Mohe- 
gan; but, dragging his companion after him, even against 
her will, he pursued his way with enormous strides towards 
the pass by which he had just entered the circle of flame. 

^‘Do not regard him,” he said, in those tones that denote 
a desperate calmness ; he is used to the woods, and such 
scenes ; and he will escape up the mountain — over the rock 
— or he can remain where he is in safety.” 

“You thought not so this moment, Edwards! Do not 
leave him there to meet with such a death,” cried Elizabeth, 
fixing a look on the countenance of her conductor that seemed 
to distrust his sanity. 

“An Indian burn! who ever heard of an Indian dying 
by fire ? an Indian cannot burn ; the idea is ridiculous. 
Hasten, hasten. Miss Temple, or the smoke may incommode 
you.” 

“ Edwards ! your look, your eye, terrifies me ! tell me 
the danger ; is it greater than it seems ? I am equal to any 
trial ? ” 

“ If we reach the point of yon rock before that sheet of 
fire, we are safe, Miss Temple ! ” exclaimed the young man, 
in a voice that burst without the bounds of his forced com- 
posure. “ Ely ! the struggle is for life ! ” 

The place of the interview between Miss Temple and the 
Indian has already been described as one of those platforms 
of rock, which form a sort of terrace in the mountains of 
that country, and the face of it, we have said, was both high 
and perpendicular. Its shape was nearly a natural arc, the 
ends of which blended with the mountain, at points where 
its sides were less abrupt in their descent. It was round 
one of these terminations of the sweep of the rock that 
Edwards had ascended, and it was towards the same place 
that he urged Elizabeth to a desperate exertion of speed. 


THE PIONEERS. 


425 


Immense clouds of white smoke had been pouring over 
the summit of the mountain, and had concealed the approach 
and ravages of the element ; but a crackling sound drew the 
eyes of Miss Temple, as she flew over the ground, supported 
by the young man, towards the outline of smoke, where she 
already perceived the waving flames shooting forward from 
the vapor, now flaring high in the air, and then bending to 
the earth, seeming to light into combustion every stick and 
shrub on which they breathed. The sight aroused them to 
redoubled efforts; but, unfortunately, a collection of the 
tops of trees, old and dried, lay directly across their course ; 
and, at the very moment when both had thought their safety 
insured, the warm currents of the air swept a forked tongue 
of flame across the pile, which lighted at the touch ; and 
when they reached the spot, the flying pair were opposed 
by the surly roaring of a body of Are, as if a furnace were 
glowing in their path. They recoiled from the heat, and 
stood on a point of the rock, gazing in a stupor at the flames, 
which were spreading rapidly down the mountain, whose 
side soon became a sheet of living fire. It was dangerous for 
one clad in the light and airy dress of Elizabeth to approach 
even the vicinity of the raging element ; and those flowing 
robes, that gave such softness and grace to her form, seemed 
now to be formed for the instruments of her destruction. 

The villagers were accustomed to resort to that hill in 
quest of timber and fuel ; in procuring which, it was their 
usage to take only the bodies of the trees, leaving the tops 
and branches to decay under the operations of the weather. 
Much of the hill was, consequently, covered with such light 
fuel, which, having been scorched under the sun for the last 
two months, was ignited with a touch. Indeed, in some 
cases, there did not appear to be any contact between the 
fire and these piles, but the flames seemed to dart from heap 
to heap, as the fabulous fire of the temple is represented to 
reillume its neglected lamp. 

There was beauty as well as terror in the sight, and 
Edwards and Elizabeth stood viewing the progress of the 
desolation, with a strange mixture of horror and interest. 
The former, however, shortly roused himself to new exer- 


426 


THE PIONEERS. 


tions, and drawing his companion after him, they skirted 
the edge of the smoke, the young man penetrating fre- 
quently into its dense volumes in search of a passage, but 
in every instance without success. In this manner they 
proceeded in a semicircle around the upper part of the 
terrace, until, arriving at the verge of the precipice, oppo- 
site to the point where Edwards had ascended, the horrid 
conviction burst on both at the same instant, that they 
were completely encircled by the fire. So long as a single 
pass up or down the mountain was unexplored, there was 
hope ; but when retreat seemed to be absolutely impractica- 
ble, the horror of their situation broke upon Elizabeth as 
powerfully as if she had hitherto considered the danger 
light. 

This mountain is doomed to be fatal to me ! ’’ she whis- 
pered ; we shall find our graves on it ! 

Say not so. Miss Temple ; there is yet hope,” returned 
the youth, in the same tone, while the vacant expression of 
his eye contradicted his words : let us return to the point 
of the rock ; there is — there must be — some place about it 
where we can descend.” 

“ Lead me there,” exclaimed Elizabeth ; let us leave, no 
effort untried.” She did not wait for his compliance, but, 
turning, retraced her steps to the brow of the precipice, 
murmuring to herself, in suppressed, hysterical sobs, “ My 
father ! my poor, my distracted father ! ” 

Edwards was by her side in an instant, and with aching 
eyes he examined every fissure in the crags, in quest of some 
opening that might offer facilities, for flight. But the smooth, 
even surface of the rocks afforded hardly a resting-place for 
a foot, much less those continued projections which would 
have been necessary for a descent of nearly a hundred feet. 
Edwards was not slow in feeling the conviction that this 
hope was also futile, and, with a kind of feverish despair 
that still urged him to action, he turned to some new ex- 
pedient. 

There is nothing left. Miss Temple,” he said, but to '. 
lower you from this place to the rock beneath. If Natty ; 
were here, or even that Indian could be roused, their in- \ 


THE PIONEERS. 


427 


geimity and long practice would easily devise methods to 
do it ; but I am a child at this moment in everything but 
daring. Where shall I find means ? This dress of mine is 
so light, and there is so little of it — then the blanket of 
Mohegan; we must try — we must try— anything is bet- 
ter than to see you a victim to such a death ! 

^^And what will become of you?^^ said Elizabeth. In- 
deed, indeed, neither you nor John must be sacrificed to my 
safety.” 

He heard her not, for he was already by the side of Mohe- 
gan, who yielded his blanket without a question, retaining 
his seat with Indian dignity and composure, though his own 
situation was even more critical than that of the others. 
The blanket was cut into shreds, and the fragments fastened 
together; the loose linen jacket of the youth, and the light 
muslin shawl of Elizabeth, were attached to them, and the 
whole thrown over the rocks, with the rapidity of lightning ; 
but the united pieces did not reach half-way to the bottom. 

‘Ht will not do — it will not do!” cried Elizabeth ; ^Hor 
me there is no hope I The fire comes slowly, but certainly. 
See, it destroys the very earth before it ! ” 

Had the flames spread on that rock with half the quick- 
ness with which they leaped from bush to tree, in other 
parts of the mountain, our painful task would have soon 
ended ; for they would have consumed already the captives 
they inclosed. But the peculiarity of their situation afforded 
Elizabeth and her companion the respite of which they had 
availed themselves to make the efforts we have recorded. 

The thin covering of earth on the rock supported but a 
scanty and faded herbage, and most of the trees that had 
found root in the fissures had already died, during the in- 
tense heats of preceding summers. Those which still re- 
tained the appearance of life bore a few dry and withered 
leaves, while the others were merely the wrecks of pines, 
oaks, and maples. Ho better materials to feed the fire 
could be found, had there been a communication with the 
flames ; but the ground was destitute of the brush that led 
the destructive element, like a torrent, over the remainder 
of the hill. As auxiliary to this scarcity of fuel, one of the 


428 


THE PIONEERS. 


large springs which abound in that country gushed out of 
the side of the ascent above, and, after creeping sluggishly 
along the level land, saturating the mossy covering of the 
rock with moisture, it swept round the base of the little 
cone that formed the pinnacle of the mountain, and, enter- 
ing the canopy of smoke near one of the terminations of 
the terrace, found its way to the lake, not by dashing from 
rock to rock, but by the secret channels of the earth. It 
would rise to the surface, here and there, in the wet sea- 
sons, but in the droughts of summer it was to be traced 
only by the bogs and moss that announced the proximity of 
water. When the fire reached this barrier, it was compelled 
to pause, until a concentration of its heat could overcome 
the moisture, like an army waiting the operations of a 
battering train, to open its way to desolation. 

That fatal moment seemed now to have arrived, for the I 
hissing steams of the spring appeared to be nearly exhausted, ! 
and the moss of the rocks was already curling under the 
intense heat, while fragments of bark, that yet clung to the 
dead trees, began to separate from their trunks, and fall to 
the ground in crumbling masses. The air seemed quiver- 
ing with rays of heat, which might be seen playing along 
the parched stems of the trees. There were moments when 
dark clouds of smoke would sweep along the little terrace ; 
and, as the eye lost its power, the other senses contributed 
to give effect to the fearful horror of the scene. At such 
moments, the roaring of the flames, the crackling of the 
furious element, with the tearing of falling branches, and, 
occasionally, the thundering echoes of some falling tree, 
united to alarm the victims. Of the three, however, the 
youth appeared much the most agitated. Elizabeth, having 
relinquished entirely the idea of escape, was fast obtaining 
that resigned composure with which the most delicate of 
her sex are sometimes known to meet unavoidable evils; 
while Mohegan, who was much nearer to the danger, main- 
tained his seat with the invincible resignation of an Indian 
warrior. Once or twice the eye of the aged chief, which 
was ordinarily fixed in the direction of the distant hills, 
turned towards the young pair, who seemed doomed to so 


THE PIONEERS. 


429 


early a death, with a slight indication of pity crossing his 
composed features, but it would immediately revert again 
to its former gaze, as if already looking into the womb of 
futurity. Much of the time he was chanting a kind of low 
dirge, in the Delaware tongue, using the deep and remark- 
ably guttural tones of his people. 

At such a moment, Mr. Edwards, all earthly distinctions 
end,’’ whispered Elizabeth; “persuade John to move nearer 
to us — let us die together.” 

“I cannot — he will not stir,” returned the youth, in 
the same horridly still tones. “He considers this as the 
happiest moment of his life. He is past seventy, and has 
been decaying rapidly for some time : he received some in- 
jury in chasing that unlucky deer, too, on the lake. Oh ! 
Miss Temple, that was an unlucky chase indeed ! it has led, 
I fear, to this awful scene.” 

The smile of Elizabeth was celestial : “ Why name such a 
trifle now — at this moment the heart is dead to all earthly 
emotions ! ” 

“ If anything could reconcile a man to this death,” cried 
the youth, “ it would be to meet it in such company ! ” 

“ Talk not so, Edwards, talk not so,” interrupted Miss 
Temple. “I am unworthy of it; and it is unjust to your- 
self. We must die; yes — yes — we must die — it is the 
will of God, and let us endeavor to submit like his own 
children.” 

“ Die ! ” the youth rather shrieked than exclaimed ; “ no 

— no — no — there must yet be hope — you at least must 
not, shall not die.” 

“ In what way can we escape ? ” asked Elizabeth, point- 
ing with a look of heavenly composure towards the fire. 
“ Observe ! the flame is crossing the barrier of wet ground 

— it comes slowly, Edwards, but surely. Ah ! see ! the tree ! 
the tree is already lighted ! ” 

Her words were too true. The heat of the conflagration 
had at length overcome the resistance of the spring, and the 
fire was slowly stealing along the half-dried moss ; while a 
dead pine kindled with the touch of a forked flame, that, for 
a moment, wreathed around the stem of the tree, as it 


430 


THE PIONEERS. 


whirled, in one of its evolutions, under the influence of the 
air. The effect was instantaneous. The flames danced 
along the parched trunk of the pine, like lightning quiver- 
ing on a chain, and immediately a column of living fire was 
raging on the terrace. It soon spread from tree to tree: 
and the scene was evidently drawing to a close. The log 
on which Mohegan was seated lighted at its further end, 
and the Indian appeared to be surrounded by fire. Still he 
was unmoved. As his body was unprotected, his sufferings 
must have been great ; but his fortitude was superior to all. 
His voice could yet be heard even in the midst of these 
horrors. Elizabeth turned her head from the sight, and 
faced the valley. Eurious eddies of wind were created by 
the heat, and just at the moment, the canopy of fiery smoke 
that overhung the valley was cleared away, leaving a dis- 
tinct view of the peaceful village beneath them. 

“ My father ! my father ! ” shrieked Elizabeth. Oh ! this 
— this surely might have been spared me — but I submit.’’ 

The distance was not so great but the figure of Judge 
Temple could be seen, standing in his own grounds, and 
apparently contemplating, in perfect unconsciousness of the 
danger of his child, the mountain in flames. This sight was 
still more painful than the approaching danger ; and Eliza- 
beth again faced the hill. 

My intemperate warmth has done this ! ” cried Edwards, 
in the accents of despair. If I had possessed but a moiety 
of your heavenly resignation. Miss Temple, all might yet 
have been well.” 

“Name it not — name it not,” she said. “It is now of 
no avail. We must die, Edwards, we must die — let us do 
so as Christians. But — no — you may yet escape, perhaps. 
Your dress is not so fatal as mine. Fly! leave me. An 
opening may yet be found for you, possibly — certainly it is 
worth the effort. Fly I leave me — but stay ! You will see 
my father ; my poor, my bereaved father I Say to him, then, 
Edwards, say to him, all that can appease his anguish. 
Tell him that I died happy and collected ; that I have gone 
to my beloved mother; that the hours of this life are as 
nothing when balanced in the scales of eternity. Say how 


THE PIONEERS. 


431 


we shall meet again. And say,” she continued, dropping 
her voice, that had risen with her feelings, as if conscious 
of her worldly weaknesses, “ how dear, how very dear, was 
my love for him ; that it was near, too near, to my love for 
God.” 

The youth listened to her touching accents, but moved 
not. In a moment he found utterance, and replied : 

And is it me that you command to leave you ! to leave 
you on the edge of the grave ! Oh ! Miss Temple, how 
little have you knpwn me ! ” he cried, dropping on his 
knees at her feet, and gathering her flowing robe in his 
arms as if to shield her from the flames. ‘^1 have been 
driven to the woods in despair ; but your society has tamed 
the lion within me. If I have wasted my time in degrada- 
tion, Twas you that charmed me to it. If I have forgotten 
my name and family, your form supplied the place of 
memory. If I have forgotten my wrongs, Twas you that 
taught me charity. No — no — dearest Elizabeth, I may 
die with you, but I can never leave you!” 

Elizabeth moved not, nor answered. It was plain that her 
thoughts had been raised from the earth. The recollection 
of her father, and her regrets at their separation, had been 
mellowed by a holy sentiment, that lifted her above the 
level of earthly things, and she was fast losing the weakness 
of her sex in the near view of eternity. But as she listened 
to these words she became once more woman. She strug- 
gled against these feelings, and smiled, as she thought she 
was shaking off the last lingering feeling of nature, when 
the world, and all its seductions, rushed again to her heart, 
with the sounds of a human voice, crying in piercing tones — 

“ Gal ! where be ye, gal 1 gladden the heart of an old 
man, if ye yet belong to ^arth ! ” 

^^List!” said Elizabeth, ^^Tis the Leather-stocking; he 
seeks me I ” 

^^’Tis Natty!” shouted Edwards, and we may yet be 
saved ! ” 

A wide and circling flame glared on their eyes for a 
moment, even above the fire of the woods, and a loud report 
followed. 


432 


THE PIONEERS. 


^Tis the canister ! ’tis the powder/’ cried the same voice, 
evidently approaching them. “’Tis the canister, and the 
precious child is lost ! ” 

At the next instant Natty rushed through the steams of 
the spring, and appeared on the terrace, without his deer- 
skin cap, his hair burnt to his head, his shirt, of country 
check, black and filled with holes, and his red features of a 
deeper color than ever, by the heat he had encountered. 


CHAPTER XXXVIII. 


Even from the land of shadows, now, 

My father’s awful ghost appears. 

Gertrude op Wyoming. 

For an hour after Louisa Grant was left by Miss Temple, 
in the situation already mentioned, she continued in feverish 
anxiety, awaiting the return of her friend. But as the time 
passed by without the re-appearance of Elizabeth, the terror 
of Louisa gradually increased, until her alarmed fancy had 
conjured every species of danger that appertained to the 
woods, excepting the one that really existed. The heavens 
had become obscured by degrees, and vast volumes of smoke 
were pouring over the valley ; but the thoughts of Louisa 
were still recurring to beasts, without dreaming of the real 
cause for apprehension. She was stationed in the edge of 
the low pines and chestnuts that succeed the first or large 
growth of the forest, and directly above the angle where the 
highway turned from the straight course to the village, and 
ascended the mountain, laterally. Consequently, she com- 
manded a view not only of the valley, but of the road be- 
neath her. The few travellers that passed, she observed, 
were engaged in earnest conversation, and frequently raised 
their eyes to the hill, and at length she saw the people leav- 
ing the court-house and gazing upwards also. While under 
the influence of the alarm excited by such unusual move- 
ments, reluctant to go, and yet fearful to remain, Louisa 
was startled by the low, cracking, but cautious treads of 
some one approaching through the bushes. She was on 
the eve of flight, when Natty emerged , from the cover, 
and stood at her side. The old man laughed as he shook 
her kindly by a hand that was passive with fear. 

am glad to meet you here, child,’^ he said; ‘^for the 
2 F ' 433 


434 


THE PIONEERS. 


back of the mountain is afire, and it would be dangerous 
to go up it now, till it has been burnt over once, and the 
dead wood is gone. There’s a foolish man, the comrade of 
that varmint who has given me all this trouble, digging for 
ore on the east side. I told him that the kearless fellows, 
who thought to catch a practys’d hunter in the woods after 
dark, had thrown the lighted pine knots in the brush, and 
that ’twould kindle like tow, and warned him to leave the 
hill. But he was set upon his business, and nothing short 
of Providence could move him. If he isn’t burnt and buried 
in a grave of his own digging, he’s made of salamanders. 
Why, what ails the child ! you look as skeary as if you 
see’d more painters ! I wish there were more to be found ; 
they’d count up faster than the beaver. But where’s the 
good child of a bad father ? did she forget her promise to 
the old man?” 

The hill ! the hill ! ” shrieked Louisa ; “ she seeks you on 
the hill with the powder ! ” 

Natty recoiled several feet at this unexpected intelligence. 

The Lord of heaven have mercy on her ! She’s on the 
Vision, and that’s a sheet of fire ag’in this. Child, if ye 
love the dear one, and hope to find a friend when ye need it 
most, to the village, and give the alarm. The men are used 
to fighting fire, and there may be a chance left. Fly! I 
bid ye fly ! nor stop even for breath.” 

The Leather-stocking had no sooner uttered this injunc- 
tion, than he disappeared in the bushes, and when last seen 4 
by Louisa, was rushing up the mountain with a speed that ' 
none but those who were accustomed to the toil could attain. 

'^Have I found ye!” the old man exclaimed, when he i 
burst out of the smoke; ^^God be praised that I’ve found . 
ye ; but follow, — there’s no time for talking.” 

My dress ! ” said Elizabeth ; it would be fatal to trust 
myself nearer to the flames in it.” 

^^I bethought me of your flimsy things,” cried Natty, 
throwing loose the folds of a covering of buckskin that he 
carried on his arm, and wrapping her form in it, in such a 
manner as to envelop her whole person ; now follow, for ' 
it’s a matter of life and death to us all.” 


THE PIONEERS. 435 

“ But John! what will become of John ? cried Edwards; 

can we leave the old warrior here to perish ? ” 

The eyes of Natty followed the direction of Edwards’s 
finger, when he beheld the Indian still seated as before, 
with the very earth under his feet consuming with fire. 
Without delay the hunter approached the spot, and spoke 
in Delaware — 

“Up and away, Chingachgook ! will ye stay here to burn, 
like a Mingo at the stake ? The Moravians have teached 
ye better, I hope; the Lord preserve me if the powder 
hasnT flashed atween his legs, and the skin of his back is 
roasting. Will ye come, I say ; will ye follow ? 

“ Why should Mohegan go ? ’’ returned the Indian, 
gloomily. “He has seen the days of an eagle, and his eye 
grows dim. He looks on the valley ; he looks on the water ; 
he looks in the hunting-grounds — but he sees no Delawares. 
Every one has a white skin. My fathers say, from the far- 
off land, come. My women, my young warriors, my tribe, 
say, come. The Great Spirit says, come. Let Mohegan 
die.” 

“ But you forget your friend,” cried Edwards. 

“ ^Tis useless to talk to an Indian with the death-fit on 
him, lad,” interrupted Natty, who seized the strips of the 
blanket, and with wonderful dexterity strapped the passive 
chieftain to his own back; when he turned, and with a 
strength that seemed to bid defiance, not only to his years, 
but to his load, he led the way to the point whence he had 
issued. As they crossed the little terrace of rock, one of the 
dead trees, that had been tottering for several minutes, fell 
on the spot where they had stood, and filled the air with its 
cinders. 

Such an event quickened the steps of the party, who fol- 
lowed the Leather-stocking with the urgency required by 
the occasion. 

“ Tread on the soft ground,” he cried, when they were in 
a gloom where sight availed them but little, “ and keep in 
the white smoke ; keep the skin close on her, lad ; she’s a 
precious one, another will be hard to be found.” 

Obedient to the hunter’s directions, they followed his 


436 


THE PIONEERS. 


steps and advice implicitly ; and altliougli the narrow pas- 
sage along the winding of the spring led amid burning logs 
and falling branches, they happily achieved it in safety. 
No one but a man long accustomed to the woods could have 
traced his route through a smoke, in which respiration was 
difficult, and sight nearly useless; but the experience of 
Natty conducted them to an opening through the rocks, 
where, with a little difficulty, they soon descended to another 
terrace, and emerged at once into a tolerably clear atmos- 
phere. 

The feelings of Edwards and Elizabeth at reaching this 
spot may be imagined, though not easily described. No one 
seemed to exult more than their guide, who turned, with 
Mohegan still lashed to his back, and laughing in his own 
manner, said — 

know’d Twas the Frenchman’s powder, gal; it went 
so altogether; your coarse grain will squib for a minute. 
The Iroquois had none of the best powder when I went 
ag’in the Canada tribes, under Sir William. Did I ever tell 
you the story, lad, consarning the skrimmage with — ” 

^^For God’s sake, tell me nothing now. Natty, until we 
are entirely safe. Where shall we go next ? ” 

Why, on the platform of rock over the cave, to be sure ; 
you will be safe enough there, or we’ll go into it, if you be 
so minded.” 

The young man started, and appeared agitated ; but look- 
ing around him with an anxious eye, said quickly — 

Shall we be safe on the rock ? cannot the fire reach us 
there, too ? ” 

Can’t the boy see ? ” said Natty, with the coolness of one 
accustomed to the kind of danger he had just encountered. 

Had ye stayed in the place above ten minutes longer, you 
would both have been in ashes, but here you may stay for 
ever, and no fire can touch you, until they burn the rocks 
as well as the woods.” 

With this assurance, which was obviously true, they pro- 
ceeded to the' spot, and Natty deposited his load, placing the 
Indian on the ground with his back against a fragment of 
the rocks. Elizabeth sank on the ground, and buried her 


THE PIONEERS. 


437 


face in her hands, while her heart was swelling with a 
variety of conflicting emotions. 

''Let me urge you to take a restorative, Miss Temple,'’ 
said Edwards, respectfully; "your frame will sink else.” 

"Leave me, leave me,” she said, raising her beaming eyes 
for a moment to his; "I feel too much for words! I am 
grateful, Oliver, for this miraculous escape; and next to 
my God to you.” 

Edwards withdrew to the edge of the rock, and shouted 
— " Benjamin ! where are you, Benjamin ? ” 

A hoarse voice replied, as if from the bowels of the earth, 
" Hereaway, master ; stowed in this here bit of a hole, which 
is all the same as hot as the cook’s coppers. I’m tired of 
my berth, d’ye see, and if so be that Leather-stocking has 
got much overhauling to do before he sails after them said 
beaver. I’ll go into dock again, and ride out my quarantine 
till I can get prottick from the law, and so hold, on upon the 
rest of my ’spaniolas.” 

" Bring up a glass of water from the spring,” continued 
Edwards, " and throw a little wine in it ; hasten, I entreat 
you ! ” 

" I knows but little of your small drink. Master Oliver,” 
returned the steward, his voice issuing out of the cave into 
the open air, "and the Jamaiky held out no longer than to 
take a parting kiss with Billy Kirby, when he anchored me 
alongside the highway last night, where you run me down 
in the chase. But here’s sum’mat of a red color that may 
suit a weak stomach, mayhap. That Master Kirby is no 
first rate in a boat ; but he’ll tack a cart among the stumps, 
all the same as a Lon’on pilot Avill back and fill through the 
colliers in the Pool.” 

As the steward ascended while talking, by the time he 
had ended his speech, he appeared on the rock with the 
desired restoratives, exhibiting the worn-out and bloated 
features of a man who had run deep in a debauch, and that 
lately. 

Elizabeth took from the hands of Edwards the liquor 
which he offered, and then motioned to be left again to her- 
self. 


438 


THE PIONEERS. 


The youth turned at her bidding, and observed Natty 
kindly assiduous around the person of Mohegan. When 
their eyes met, the hunter said sorrowfully — 

His time has come, lad ; I see it in his eyes ; when an 
Indian fixes his eye, he means to go but to one place ; and 
what the wilful creaters put their minds on, they’re sure to 
do.” 

A quick tread prevented the reply, and in a few moments, 
to the amazement of the whole party, Mr. Grant was seen 
clinging to the side of the mountain, and striving to reach 
the place where they stood. Oliver sprang to his assist- 
ance, and by their united efforts the worthy divine was soon 
placed safely among them. 

“ How came you added to our number ? ” cried Edwards. 

Is the hill alive with people at a time like this ? ” 

The hasty but pious thanksgivings of the clergyman were 
soon ejaculated; and when he succeeded in collecting his 
bewildered senses, he replied — 

“ I heard that my child was seen coming to the mountain ; 
and when the fire broke over its summit, my uneasiness 
drew me up the road, where I found Louisa, in terror for 
Miss Temple. It was to seek her that I came into this 
dangerous place ; and I think, but for God’s mercy, through 
the dogs of Natty, I should have perished in the flames 
myself.” 

“ Ay ! follow the hounds, and if there’s an opening they’ll 
scent it out,” said Natty; their noses be given them the 
same as man’s reason.” 

I did so, and they led me to this place ; but, praise be to 
God, that I see you all safe and well.” 

‘^No, no,” returned the hunter; ^^safe we be, but as for 
well, John can’t be called in a good way, unless you’ll say 
that for a man that’s taking his last look at ’arth.” 

“ He speaks the truth ! ” said the divine, with the holy 
awe with which he ever approached the dying, — have 
been by too many death-beds, not to see that the hand of 
the tyrant is laid on this old warrior. Oh ! how consoling 
it is to know that he has not rejected the offered mercy in 
the hour of his strength and of worldly temptations ! The 


THE PIONEERS. 439 

offspring of a race of heathens, he has in truth been ‘ as a 
brand plucked from the burning.’ ” 

^^hTo, no,” returned Natty, who alone stood with him by 
the side of the dying warrior, it’s no burning that ails him, 
though his Indian feelings made him scorn to move, unless 
it be the burning of man’s wicked thoughts for near four- 
score years ; but it’s nater giving out in a chase that’s run 
too long. Down with ye. Hector ! down, I say ! Flesh 
isn’t iron, that a man can live for ever, and see his kith and 
kin driven to a far country, and he left to mourn, with none 
to keep him company.” 

^^John,” said the divine, tenderly, do you hear me? 
do you wish the prayers appointed by the church, at this 
trying moment ? ” 

The Indian turned his ghastly face towards the speaker, 
and fastened his dark eyes on him, steadily, but vacantly. 
No sign of recognition was made ; and in a moment he 
moved his head again slowly towards the vale, and began to 
sing, using his own language, in those low, guttural tones, 
that have been so often mentioned, his notes rising with 
his theme, till they swelled so loud as to be distinct. 

I will come ! I will come ! to the land of the just I 
will come ! The Maquas I have slain ! I have slain the 
Maquas ! and the Great Spirit calls to his son. I will come ! 
I will come ! to the land of the just I will come ! ” 

What says he. Leather-stocking ? ” inquired the priest, 
with tender interest ; sings he the Eedeemer’s praise ? ” 
^^No, no — ’tis his own praise that he speaks now,” said 
Natty, turning in a melancholy manner from the sight of 
his dying friend ; and a good right he has to say it all, for 
I know every word to be true.” 

^^May Heaven avert such self-righteousness from his 
heart ! Humility and penitence are the seals of Christian- 
ity ; and without feeling them deeply seated in the soul, all 
hope is delusive, and leads to vain expectations. Praise 
himself ! when his whole soul and body should unite to 
praise his Maker ! John ! you have enjoyed the blessings 
of a gospel ministry, and have been called from out a mul- 
titude of sinners and pagans, and I trust, for a wise and 


440 


THE PIONEERS. 


gracious purpose. Do you now feel what it is to be justified 
by our Saviour’s death, and reject all weak and idle depend- 
ence on good works, that spring from man’s pride and vain- 
glory ? ” 

The Indian did not regard his interrogator, but he raised 
his head again, and said in a low, distinct voice — 

Who can say that the Maquas know the back of Mohe- 
gan? What enemy that trusted in him did not see the 
morning ? What Mingo that he chased ever sang the song 
of triumph ? Did Mohegan ever lie ? No ; the truth lived 
in him, and none else could come out of him. In his youth 
he was a warrior, and his moccasins left the stain of blood. 
In his age, he was wise ; his words at the council-fire did 
not blow away with the winds.” 

Ah ! he has abandoned that vain relic of paganism, his 
songs,” cried the divine; “what says he now? is he sen- 
sible of his lost state ? ” 

“Lord ! man,” said Natty, “he knows his end is at hand 
as well as you or I ; but, so far from thinking it a loss, he 
believes it to be a great gain. He is old and stiff, and you 
have made the game so scarce and shy, that better shots 
than him find it hard to get a livelihood. Now he thinks 
he shall travel where it will always be good hunting ; where 
no wicked or unjust Indians can go; and where he shall 
meet all his tribe together ag’in. There’s not much loss in 
that, to a man whose hands are hardly fit for basket-making. 
Loss ! if there be any loss, ’twill be to me. I’m sure, after 
he’s gone, there will be but little left for me but to follow.” 

“ His example and end, which, I humbly trust, shall yet 
be made glorious,” returned Mr. Grant, “ should lead your 
mind to dwell on the things of another life. But I feel it 
to be my duty to smooth the way for the parting spirit. 
This is the moment, John, when the reflection that you did 
not reject the mediation of the E-edeemer Avill bring balm 
to your soul. Trust not to any act of former days, but lay 
the burden of your sins at His feet, and you have His own 
blessed assurance that He will not desert you.” 

“Though all you say be true, and you have scripter 
gospels for it, too,” said Natty, “you will make nothing of 


THE PIONEERS. 


441 


the Indian. He hasn’t seen a Moravian priest sin’ the war ; 
and it’s hard to keep them from going back to their native 
ways. I should think ’twonld be as well to let the old man 
pass in peace. He’s happy now ; I know it by his eye; and 
that’s more than I would say for the chief, sin’ the time the 
Delawares broke up from the head-waters of their river, 
and went west. Ah’s me! ’tis a grievous long time that, 
and many dark days have we seen together sin’ it.” 

Hawk-eye ! ” said Mohegan, rousing with the last glim- 
mering of life. Hawk-eye ! listen to the words of your 
brother.” 

Yes, John,” said the hunter, in English, strongly affected 
by the appeal, and drawing to his side; ^^we have been 
brothers ; and more so than it means in the Indian tongue. 
What would ye have with me, Chingachgook ? ” 

Hawk-eye I my fathers call me to the happy hunting- 
grounds. The path is clear, and the eyes of Mohegan grow 
young. I look — but I see no white-skins; there are none 
to be seen but just and brave Indians. Farewell, Hawk-eye 
— yon shall go with the Fire-eater and the Young Eagle, to 
the white man’s heaven; but I go after my fathers. Let 
the bow, and tomahawk, and pipe, and the wampum of 
Mohegan be laid in his grave ; for when he starts ’twill be 
in the night, like a warrior on a war-party, and he cannot 
stop to seek them.” 

What says he, Nathaniel ?” cried Mr. Grant, earnestly, 
and with obvious anxiety ; does he recall the promises of 
the mediation ? and trust his salvation to the Rock of Ages ? ” 
Although the faith of the hunter was by no means clear, 
yet the fruits of early instruction had not entirely fallen in 
the wilderness. He believed in one God, and one heaven ; 
and when the strong feeling excited by the leave-taking of 
his old companion, which was exhibited by the powerful 
working of every muscle in his Aveather-beaten face, suf- 
fered him to speak, he replied — 

— no — he trusts only to the Great Spirit of the 
savages, and to his own good deeds. He thinks, like all 
his people, that he is to be young ag’in, and to hunt, and 
be happy to the end of etarnity. It’s pretty much the same 


442 


THE PIONEERS. 


with all colors, parson. I could never bring myself to 
think, that I shall meet with these hounds, or my piece, in 
another world; though the thoughts of leaving them for 
ever sometimes brings hard feelings over me, and makes 
me cling to life with a greater craving than beseems three- 
score-and-ten.” 

The Lord in His mercy avert such a death from one who 
has been sealed with the sign of the cross ! ” cried the min- 
ister, in holy fervor. J ohn — ’’ 

He paused for the elements. During the period occupied 
by the events which we have related, the dark clouds in 
the horizon had continued to increase in numbers and mag- 
nitude ; and the awful stillness that now pervaded the air, 
announced a crisis in the state of the atmosphere. The 
flames, which yet continued to rage along the sides of the 
mountain, no longer whirled in uncertain currents of their 
own eddies, but blazed high and steadily towards the 
heavens. There was even a quietude in the ravages of the 
destructive element, as if it foresaw that a hand, greater 
than even its own desolating power, was about to stay its 
progress. The piles of smoke which lay above the valley 
began to rise, and were dispelling rapidly ; and streaks of 
vivid lightning were dancing through the masses of clouds 
that impended over the western hills. While Mr. Grant 
was speaking, a flash, which sent its quivering light through 
the gloom, laying bare the whole opposite horizon, was fol- 
lowed by a loud crash of thunder, that rolled away among 
the hills, seeming to shake the foundations of the earth to ^ 
their centre. Mohegan raised himself, as if in obedience to 
a signal for his departure, and stretched his wasted arm , 
towards the west. His dark face lighted with a look of 4 
joy ; which, with all other expression, gradually disap- i 
peared ; the muscles stiffening as they retreated to a state | 
of rest; a slight convulsion played, for a single instant, ; 
about his lips ; and his arm slowly dropped by his side ; 
leaving the frame of the dead warrior reposing against the 
rock, with its glassy eyes open, and fixed on the distant , 
hills, as if the deserted shell were tracing the flight of the 
spirit to its new abode. 


THE PIONEERS. 


443 


All this Mr. Grant witnessed in silent awe ; but when the 
last echoes of the thunder died away, he clasped his hands 
together, with pious energy, and repeated, in the full, rich 
tones of assured faith — 

‘^0 Lord! how unsearchable are thy judgments: and thy 
ways past finding out I ^ I know that my E-edeemer liveth, 
and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth : 
and though after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in 
my flesh shall I see God : whom I shall see for myself, and 
mine eyes shall behold, and not another.’ ” 

As the divine closed this burst of devotion, he bowed his 
head meekly to his bosom, and looked all the dependence 
and humility that the inspired language expressed. 

When Mr. Grant retired from the body, the hunter ap- 
proached, and taking the rigid hand of his friend, looked 
him wistfully in the face for some time without speaking, 
when he gave vent to his feelings by saying, in the mourn- 
ful voice of one who felt deeply — 

^^Eed skin or white, it’s all over now! He’s to be 
judged by a righteous Judge, and by no laws that’s made 
to suit times, and new ways. W^ell, there’s only one more 
death, and the world will be left to me and the hounds. 
Ah’s me ! a man must wait the time of God’s pleasure, but 
I begin to weary of life. There is scarcely a tree standing 
that I know, and it’s hard to And a face that I was ac- 
quainted with in my younger days.” 

Large drops of rain began now to fall, and diffuse them- 
selves over the dry rock, while the approach of the thunder 
shower was rapid and certain. The body of the Indian was 
hastily removed into the cave beneath, followed by the 
whining hounds, who missed and moaned for the look of 
intelligence that had always met their salutations to the 
chief. 

Edwards made some hasty and confused excuse for not 
taking Elizabeth into the same place, which was now com- 
pletely closed in front with logs and bark, saying something 
that she hardly understood about its darkness, and the un- 
pleasantness of being with the dead body. Miss Temple, 
however, found a sufficient shelter against the torrent of 


444 


THE PIONEERS. 


rain that fell, under the projection of a rock which over- 
hung them. But long before the shower was over, the 
sounds of voices were heard below them crying aloud for 
Elizabeth, and men soon appeared, beating the dying embers 
of the bushes, as they worked their way cautiously among 
the unextinguished brands. 

At the first short cessation in the rain, Oliver conducted 
Elizabeth to the road, where he left her. Before parting, 
however, he found time to say, in a fervent manner that his 
companion was now at no loss to interpret — 

The moment of concealment is over. Miss Temple. By 
this time to-morrow, I shall remove a veil that perhaps it 
has been weakness to keep around me and my affairs so 
long. But I have had romantic and foolish wishes and 
weaknesses : and who has not, that is young and torn by 
conflicting passions ? God bless you ! I hear your father’s 
voice ; he is coming up the road, and I would not, just now, 
subject myself to detention. Thank Heaven, you are safe 
again ; that alone removes the weight of a world from my 
spirit ! ” 

He waited for no answer, but sprang into the woods. 
Elizabeth, notwithstanding she heard the cries of her father 
as he called upon her name, paused until he was concealed 
among the smoking trees, when she turned, and in a moment 
rushed into the arms of her half-distracted parent. 

A carriage had been provided, into which Miss Temple 
hastily entered; when the cry was passed along the hill, 
that the lost one was found, and the people returned to the 
village, wet and dirty, but elated with the thought that the 
daughter of their landlord had escaped from so horrid and 
untimely an end.^ : 

1 The probability of a fire in the woods, similar to that here described, ^ 
has been questioned. The writer can only say that he once witnessed a A 
fire in another part of New York that compelled a man to desert his wagon % 
and horses in the highway and in which the latter were destroyed. In | 
order to estimate the probability of such an event, it is necessary to re- 1 
member the effects of a long drought in that climate, and the abundance 
of dead wood which is found in a forest like that described. The fires in | 
the American forests frequently rage to such an extent as to produce a I 
sensible effect on the atmosphere at the distance of fifty miles. Houses, ! 
barns, and fences are quite commonly swept away in their course. ! 


CHAPTER XXXIX. 


Selictar ! unsheathe then our chief’s scimitar ; 

Tambourgi ! thy ’larum gives promise of war ; 

Ye mountains ! that see us descend to the shore, 

Shall view us as victors, or view us no more. 

Byron. 

The heavy showers that prevailed during the remainder 
of the day completely stopped the progress of the flames ; 
though glimmering fires were observed during the night, on 
different parts of the hill, wherever there was a collection 
of fuel to feed the element. The next day the woods, for 
many miles, were black and smoking, and were stripped of 
every vestige of brush and dead wood; but the pines and 
hemlocks still reared their heads proudly among the hills, 
and even the smaller trees of the forest retained a feeble 
appearance of life and vegetation. 

The many tongues of rumor were busy in exaggerating 
the miraculous escape of Elizabeth; and a report was gen- 
erally credited, that Mohegan had actually perished in the 
flames. This belief became confirmed, and was indeed ren- 
dered probable, when the direful intelligence reached the 
village, that Jotham Riddel, the miner, was found in his 
hole, nearly dead with suffocation, and burnt to such a 
degree that no hopes were entertained of his life. 

The public attention became much alive to the events of the 
last few days ; and just at this crisis, the convicted counter- 
feiters took the hint from Xatty, and, on the night succeed- 
ing the fire, found means to cut through their log prison 
also, and to escape unpunished. When this news began to 
circulate through the village, blended with the fate of 
Jotham, and the exaggerated and tortured reports of the 
events on the hill, the popular opinion was freely ex- 

445 


446 


THE PIONEERS. 


pressed, as to the propriety of seizing such of the fugi- 
tives as remained within reach. Men talked of the cave, as 
a secret receptacle of guilt; and as the rumor of ores and 
metals found its way into the confused medley of conject- 
ures, counterfeiting and everything else that was wicked 
and dangerous to the peace of society, suggested themselves 
to the busy fancies of the populace. 

While the public mind was in this feverish state, it was 
hinted that the wood had been set on fire by Edwards and the 
Leather-stocking, and that, consequently, they alone were 
responsible for the damages. This opinion soon gained 
ground, being most circulated by those who, by their own 
heedlessness, had caused the evil; and there was one irre- 
sistible burst of the common sentiment, that an attempt 
should be made to punish the offenders. Eichard was by 
no means deaf to this appeal, and by noon he set about in 
earnest, to see the laws executed. 

Several stout young men were selected, and taken apart ' 
with an appearance of secresy, where they received some 
important charge from the Sheriff, immediately under the 
eyes, but far removed from the ears, of all in the village. 
Possessed of a knowledge of their duty, these youths hurried 
into the hills, with a bustling manner, as if the fate of 
the world depended on their diligence, and, at the same 
time, with an air of mystery, as great as if they were 
engaged on secret matters of the state. 

At twelve precisely, a drum beat the long roll ” before 
the “Bold Dragoon,” and Pichard appeared, accompanied 
by Captain Hollister, who was clad in his vestments as 
commander of the “Templeton Light Infantry,” when the 
former demanded of the latter the aid of the posse comi- 
tatus, in enforcing the laws of the country. We have not 
room to record the speeches of the two gentlemen on this 
occasion, but they are preserved in the columns of the little 
blue newspaper, which is yet to be found on the file, and 
are said to be highly creditable to the legal formula of one •• 
of the parties, and to the military precision of the other. ,( 
Everything had been previously arranged, and as the red- j 
coated drummer continued to roll out his clattering notes, | 


THE PIONEERS. 447 

• 

some five-and-twenty privates appeared in the ranks, and 
arranged themselves in order of battle. 

As this corps was composed of volunteers, and was com- 
manded by a man who had passed the first five-and-thirty 
years of his life in camps and garrisons, it was the nonpa- 
reil of military science in that country, and was confidently 
pronounced by the judicious part of the Templeton com- 
munity, to be equal in skill and appearance to any troops in 
the known world; in physical endowments they were, cer- 
tainly, much superior! To this assertion there were but 
three dissenting voices, and one dissenting opinion. The 
opinion belonged to Marmaduke, who, however, saw no 
necessity for its promulgation. Of the voices, one, and 
that a pretty loud one, came from the spouse of the com- 
mander himself, who frequently reproached her husband 
for condescending to lead such an irregular band of war- 
riors, after he had filled the honorable station of sergeant- 
major to a dashing corps of Virginian cavalry through much 
of the recent war. 

Another of these sceptical sentiments was invariably 
expressed by Mr. Pump, whenever the company paraded, 
generally in some such terms as these, which were uttered 
with that sort of meekness that a native of the island of 
our forefathers is apt to assume, when he condescends to 
praise the customs or character of her truant progeny — 

“It’s mayhap that they knows sum’mat about loading 
and firing, d’ye see; but as for working ship! why a cor- 
poral’s guard of the Boadishey’s marines would back and 
fill on their quarters in such a manner as to surround and 
captivate them all in half a glass.” As there was no one to 
deny this assertion, the marines of the Boadicea were held 
in a corresponding degree of estimation. 

The third unbeliever was Monsieur Le Quoi, who merely 
whispered to the Sheriff, that the corps was one of the finest 
he had ever seen, second only to the Mousquetaires of Le 
Bon Louis ! However, as Mrs. Hollister thought there was 
something like actual service in the present appearances, and 
was, in consequence, too busily engaged with certain prepa- 
rations of her own, to make her comments; as Benjamin 


448 


THE PIONEERS. 


was absent, and Monsieur Le Quoi too happy to find fault 
with anything, the corps escaped criticism and comparison 
altogether on this momentous day, when they certainly had 
greater need of self-confidence than on any other previous 
occasion. Marmaduke was said to be again closeted with 
Mr. Van der School, and no interruption was offered to the 
movements of the troops. At two o’clock precisely the 
corps shouldered arms, beginning on the right wing, next 
to the veteran, and carrying the motion through to the left 
with great regularity. When each musket was quietly fixed 
in its proper situation, the order was given to wheel to the 
left, and march. As this was bringing raw troops, at once, 
to face their enemy, it is not to be supposed that the ma- 
noeuvre was executed with their usual accuracy; but as the 
music struck up the inspiring air of Yankee-doodle, and 
Richard, accompanied by Mr. Doolittle, preceded the troops 
boldly down the street. Captain Hollister led on, with his 
head elevated to forty -five degrees, with a little, low, cocked 
hat perched on his crown, carrying a tremendous dragoon 
sabre at a poise, and trailing at his heels a huge steel scab- 
bard, that had war in its very clattering. There was a good 
deal of difficulty in getting all the platoons (there were six) 
to look the same way; but, by the time they reached the 
defile of the bridge, the troops were in sufficiently compact 
order. In this manner they marched up the hill to the 
summit of the mountain, no other alteration taking place 
in the disposition of the forces, excepting that a mutual 
complaint was made by the Sheriff and the magistrate, of 
a failure in wind, which gradually brought these gentlemen 
to the rear. It will be unnecessary to detail the minute 
movements that succeeded. We shall briefly say, that the 
scouts came in and reported, that, so far from retreating, 
as had been anticipated, the fugitives had evidently gained 
a knowledge of the attack, and were fortifying for a des- 
perate resistance. This intelligence certainly made a mate- 
rial change, not only in the plans of the leaders, but in the 
countenances of the soldiers also. The men looked at one 
another with serious faces and Hiram and Richard began 
to consult together, apart. 




i 


THE PIONEERS. 


449 


At this conjuncture, they were joined by Billy Kirby, 
who came along the highway, with his axe under his arm, 
as much in advance of his team as Captain Hollister had 
been of his troops in the ascent. The wood-chopper was 
amazed at the military array, but the Sheriff eagerly availed 
himself of this powerful reinforcement, and commanded his 
assistance in putting the laws in force. Billy held Mr. 
Jones in too much deference to object; and it was finally 
arranged that he should be the bearer of a summons to the 
garrison to surrender, before they proceeded to extremities. 
The troops now divided, one party being led by the captain, 
over the Vision, and were brought in on the left of the cave, 
while the remainder advanced upon its right, under the 
orders of the lieutenant. Mr. Jones and Dr. Todd — for 
the surgeon was in attendance also — appeared on the plat- 
form of rock, immediately over the heads of the garrison, 
though out of their sight. Hiram thought this approach- 
ing too near, and he therefore accompanied Kirby along the 
side of the hill, to within a safe distance of the fortifications, 
where he took shelter behind a tree. Most of the men dis- 
covered great accuracy of eye in bringing some object in 
range between them and their enemy, and the only two of 
the besiegers who were left in plain sight of the besieged 
were Captain Hollister on one side, and the wood-chopper 
on the other. The veteran stood up boldly to the front, 
supporting his heavy sword, in one undeviating position, 
with his eye fixed firmly on his enemy, while the huge 
form of Billy was placed in that kind of quiet repose, with 
either hand thrust into his bosom, bearing his axe under his 
right arm, which permitted him, like his own oxen, to rest 
standing. So far, not a word had been exchanged between 
the belligerents. The besieged had drawn together a pile 
of black logs and branches of trees, which they had formed 
into a chevaux-de-frise, making a little circular abatis in 
front of the entrance to the cave. As the ground was steep 
and slippery in every direction around the place, and Ben- 
jamin appeared behind the works on one side, and Natty 
on the other, the arrangement was by no means contempti- 
ble, especially as the front was sufficiently guarded by the 
2g 


450 


THE PIONEERS. 


difficulty of the approach. By this time, Kirby had received 
his orders, and he advanced coolly along the mountain, pick- 
ing his way with the same indifference as if he were pursu- 
ing his ordinary business. When he was within a hundred 
feet of the works, the long and much-dreaded rifle of the 
Leather-stocking was seen issuing from the parapet, and his 
voice cried aloud — 

‘‘Keep off! Billy Kirby, keep off! I wish ye no harm; 
but if a man of ye all comes a step nigher, there’ll be blood 
spilt atwixt us. God forgive the one that draws it first, 
but so it must be.” 

“Come, old chap,” said Billy, good-naturedly, “don’t be 
crabb’d, but hear what a man has got to say. I’ve no con- 
sarn in the business, only to see right ’twixt man and man; 
and I don’t kear the valie of a beetle ring which gets the 
better; but there’s Squire Doolittle, yonder behind the beech 
sapling, he has invited me to come in and ask you to give 
up to the law — that’s all.” 

“ I see the varmint ! I see his clothes ! ” cried the indig- 
nant Natty; “and if he’ll only show so much flesh as will 
bury a rifle-bullet, thirty to the pound. I’ll make him feel 
me. Go away, Billy, I bid ye : you know my aim, and I 
bear you no malice.” 

“You over-calculate your aim. Natty,” said the other, as 
he stepped behind a pine that stood near him ; “ if you think 
to shoot a man through a tree with a three-foot butt. I can 
lay this tree right across you in ten minutes, by any man’s 
watch, and in less time, too ; so be civil — I want no more 
than what’s right.” 

There was a simple seriousness in the countenance of 
Natty, that showed he was much in earnest; but it was also 
evident that he was reluctant to shed human blood. He 
answered the vaunt of the wood-chopper, by saying — 

•“I know you drop a tree where you will, Billy Kirby; 
but if you show a hand, or an arm, in doing it, there’ll be 
bones to be set, and blood to staunch. If it’s only to get 
into the cave that ye want, wait till a two hours’ sun, and 
you may enter it in welcome; but come in now you shall 
not. There’s one dead body already, lying on the cold 


THE PIONEERS. 


451 


rocks, and there’s another in which the life can hardly be 
said to stay. If you will come in, there’ll be dead without 
as well as within.” 

The wood-chopper stepped out fearlessly from his cover, 
and cried — 

‘‘That’s fair; and what’s fair is right. He wants you to 
stop till it’s two hours to sundown; and I see reason in the 
thing. A man can give up when he’s wrong, if you don’t 
crowd him too hard ; but you crowd a man, and he gets to be 
like a stubborn ox — the more you beat, the worse he kicks.” 

. The sturdy notions of independence maintained by Billy, 
neither suited the emergency nor the impatience of Mr. 
Jones, who was burning with a desire to examine the hid- 
den mysteries of the cave. He therefore interrupted this 
amicable dialogue with his own voice. 

“ I command you, Nathaniel Bumppo, by my authority, 
to surrender your person to the law,” he cried. “And I 
command you, gentlemen, to aid me in performing my 
duty. Benjamin Penguillan, I arrest you, and order you 
to follow me to the jail of the county, by virtue of this 
warrant.” 

“ I’d follow ye. Squire Dickens,” said Benjamin, removing 
the pipe from his mouth (for during the whole scene the 
ex-major-domo had been very composedly smoking) ; “ ay ! 
I’d sail in your wake to the end of the world, if so be that 
there was such a place, where there isn’t seeing that it’s 
round. Now, mayhap. Master Hollister, having lived all 
your life on shore, you isn’t acquainted that the world, 
d’ye see — ” 

“ Surrender ! ” interrupted the veteran, in a voice that 
startled his hearers, and which actually caused his own 
forces to recoil several paces; “surrender, Benjamin Pen- 
guillum, or expect no quarter.” 

“ Damn your quarter ! ” said Benjamin, rising from the 
log on which he was seated, and taking a squint along the 
barrel of the swivel, which had been brought on the hill 
during the night, and now formed the means of defence on 
his side of the works. “ Look you. Master, or Captain, 
thof I questions if ye know the name of a rope, except 


452 


THE PIONEERS. 


the one that’s to hang ye, there’s no need of singing out, 
as if ye was hailing a deaf man on a top-gallantyard. May- 
hap you think you’ve got my true name in your sheepskin; 
but what British sailor finds it worth while to sail in these 
seas, without a sham on his stern, in case of need, d’ye see. 
If you call me Penguillan, you calls me by the name of the 
man on whose land, d’ye see, I hove into daylight; and he 
was a gentleman; and that’s more than my worst enemy 
will say of any of the family of Benjamin Stubbs.” 

Send the warrant round to me, and I’ll put in an alias,” 
cried Hiram, from behind his cover. 

“ Put in a jackass, and you’ll put in yourself. Mister Doo- 
but-little,” shouted Benjamin, who kept squinting along 
his little iron tube, with great steadiness. 

“I give you but one moment to yield,” cried Richard. 
“ Benjamin ! Benjamin ! this is not the gratitude I expected 
from you.” 

tell you, Richard Jones,” said Natty, who dreaded 
the Sheriff’s influence over his comrade; ‘Hhough the can- 
ister the gal brought be lost, there’s powder enough in the 
cave to lift the rock you stand on. I’ll take off my roof if 
you don’t hold your peace.” 

“I think it beneath the dignity of my office to parley 
further with the prisoners,” the Sheriff observed to his 
companion, while they both retired with a precipitancy 
that Captain Hollister mistook for the signal to advance. 

“Charge baggonet! ” shouted the veteran; “march! ” 

Although this signal was certainly expected, it took the 
assailed a little by surprise, and the veteran approached 
the works, crying, “ Courage, my brave lads 1 give them no 
quarter unless they surrender ” ; and struck a furious blow 
upwards with his sabre, that would have divided the stew- 
ard into moieties, by subjecting him to the process of decapi- 
tation, but for the fortunate interference of the muzzle of 
the swivel. As it was, the gun was dismounted at the criti- 
cal moment that Benjamin was applying his pipe to the 
priming, and, in consequence, some five or six dozen of 
rifle-bullets were projected into the air, in nearly a per- 
pendicular line. Philosophy teaches us that the atmos- 


THE PIONEERS. 


453 


phere will not retain lead; and two pounds of the metal, 
moulded into bullets of thirty to the pound, after describing 
an ellipsis in their journey, returned to the earth rattling 
among the branches of the trees directly over the heads of 
the troops stationed in the rear of their captain. Much of 
the success of an attack, made by irregular soldiers, depends 
on the direction in which they are first got in motion. In 
the present instance, it was retrograde, and in less than a 
minute after the bellowing report of the swivel among the 
rocks and caverns, the whole weight of the attack from the 
left rested on the prowess of the single arm of the veteran. 
Benjamin received a severe contusion from the recoil of his 
gun, which produced a short stupor, during which period 
the ex-steward was prostrate on the ground. Captain Hol- 
lister availed himself of this circumstance to scramble over 
the breast-work, and obtain a footing in the bastion — for 
such was the nature of the fortress, as connected with the 
cave. The moment the veteran found himself within the 
works of his enemy, he rushed to the edge of the fortifica- 
tion, and waving his sabre over his head, shouted — 

“Victory! come on, my brave boys, the work’s our own! ” 
All this was perfectly military, and was such an example 
as a gallant officer was in some measure bound to exhibit to 
his men; but the outcry was the unlucky cause of turning 
the tide of success. Hatty, who had been keeping a vigi- 
lant e^^e on the wood-chopper, and the enemy immediately 
before him, wheeled at this alarm, and was appalled at 
beholding his comrade on the ground, and the veteran 
standing on his own bulwark, giving forth the cry of vic- 
tory! The muzzle of the long rifle was turned instantly 
towards the Captain. There was a moment when the life of 
the old soldier was in great jeopardy; but the object to 
shoot at was both too large and too near for the Leather- 
stocking, who, instead of pulling his trigger, applied the 
gun to the rear of his enemy, and by a powerful shove 
sent him outside of the works with much greater rapidity 
than he had entered them. The spot on which Captain 
Hollister alighted was directly in front, where, as his feet 
touched the ground, so steep and slippery was the side of 


454 


THE PIONEERS. 


the mountain, it seemed to recede from under them. His 
motion was swift, and so irregular as utterly to confuse the 
faculties of the old soldier. During its continuance, he 
supposed himself to be mounted, and charging through the 
ranks of his enemy. At every tree he made a blow, of 
course, as at a foot soldier; and just as he was making the 
cut “ St. George ’’ at a half-burnt sapling, he landed in the 
highway, and, to his utter amazement, at the feet of his 
own spouse. When Mrs. Hollister, who was toiling up the 
hill, followed by at least twenty curious boys, leaning with 
one hand on the staff with which she ordinarily walked, 
and bearing in the other an empty bag, witnessed this 
exploit of her husband, indignation immediately got the 
better, not only of her religion, but of her philosophy. 

Why, sergeant ! is it flying ye are? ” she cried. — “ That 
I should live to see a husband of mine turn his back to the 
inimy ! and sich a one ! Here have I been telling the b’ys, 
as we come along, all about the saige of • Yorrektown, and 
how ye was hurted; and how ye’d be acting the same ag-’in 
the day: and I mate ye retraiting jist as the first gun is 
fired. Och! I may trow away the bag! for if there’s 
plunder, ’twill not be the wife of sich as yeerself that will 
be privileged to be getting the same. They do say, too, 
there is a power of goold and silver in the place — the Lord 
forgive me for setting my heart on worreldly things ; but 
what falls in the battle, there’s scripter for believing, is 
the just property of the victor.” 

“ Eetreating ! ” exclaimed the amazed veteran; where’s 
my horse? he has been shot under me — I — ” 

“Is the man mad?” interrupted his wife — “divil the 
horse do ye own, sergeant, and ye’re nothing but a shabby 
captain of malaishy.” Oh! if the raal captain was here, 
’tis the other way ye’d be riding, dear, or you would not 
follow your laider ! ” 

While this worthy couple were thus discussing events, the 
battle began to rage more violently than ever above them. 
When the Leather-stocking saw his enemy fairly under head- 
way, as Benjamin would express it, he gave his attention 
again to the right wing of the assailants. It would have 


THE PIONEERS. 


455 


been easy for Kirby, with his powerful frame, to have seized 
the moment to scale the bastion, and, with his great strength, 
to have sent both its defenders in pursuit of the veteran; but 
hostility appeared to be the passion that the wood-chop- 
per indulged the least in at that moment, for, in a voice 
that was heard by the retreating left wing, he shouted — 
Hurra ! well done. Captain ! keep it up ! how he handles 
his bush-hook ! he makes nothing of a sapling ! and such 
other encouraging exclamations to the flying veteran, until, 
overcome by mirth, the good-natured fellow seated himself 
on the ground, kicking the e^rth with delight, and giving 
vent to peal after peal of laughter. 

Natty stood all this time in a menacing attitude, with 
his rifle pointed over the breast- work, watching with a 
quick and cautious eye the least movement of the assail- 
ants. The outcry unfortunately tempted the ungovernable 
curiosity of Hiram to take a peep from behind his cover at 
the state of the battle. Though this evolution was performed 
with great caution, in protecting his front, he left, like many 
a better commander, his rear exposed to the attacks of his 
enemy. Mr. Doolittle belonged physically to a class of his 
countrymen, to whom nature has denied, in their formation, 
the use of curved lines. Everything about him was either 
straight or angular. But his tailor was a woman who worked, 
like a regimental contractor, by a set of rules that gave the 
same configuration to the whole human species. Conse- 
quently when Mr. Doolittle leaned forward in the manner 
described, a loose drapery appeared behind the tree, at 
which the rifle of Natty was pointed with the quickness 
of lightning. A less-experienced man would have aimed 
at the flowing robe, which hung like a festoon half-way to 
the earth; but the Leather-stocking knew both the man and 
his female tailor better; and when the smart report of the 
rifle was heard, Kirby, who watched the whole manoeuvre 
in breathless expectation, saw the bark fly from the beech, 
and the cloth, at some distance above the loose folds, wave 
at the same instant. No battery was ever unmasked with 
more promptitude than Hiram advanced from behind the 
tree at this summons. 


456 


THE PIONEERS. 


He made two or three steps, with great precision, to the 
front, and placing one hand on the afflicted part, stretched 
forth the other, with a menacing air towards Hatty, and 
cried aloud — 

“Gawl darn ye! this sha’n’t be settled so easy; I’ll fol- 
low it up from the ^common pleas ’ to the ‘court of errors.’ ” 

Such a shocking imprecation, from- the mouth of so 
orderly a man as Squire Doolittle, with the fearless man- 
ner in which he exposed himself, together with, perhaps, 
the knowledge that Hatty’s rifle was unloaded, encouraged 
the troops in the rear, who .gave a loud shout, and fired a 
volley into the tree-tops, after the contents of the swivel. 
Animated by, their own noise, the men now rushed on in 
earnest; and Billy Kirby, who thought the joke, good as it 
was, had gone far enough, was in the act of scaling the 
works, when Judge Temple appeared on the opposite side, 
exclaiming — 

“ Silence and peace ! why do I see murder and bloodshed 
attempted? is not the law sufficient to protect itself, that 
armed bands must be gathered, as in rebellion and war, to 
see justice performed? ” 

“’Tis the posse comitatus,” shouted the Sheriff, from a 
distant rock, “ who — ” 

“Say rather a posse of demons. I command the peace.” 

“Hold! shed not blood!” cried a voice from the top of 
the Vision, “Hold, for the sake of Heaven, fire no more! 
all shall be yielded ! you shall enter the cave ! ” 

Amazement produced the desired effect. Hatty, who 
had reloaded his piece, quietly seated himself on the logs, 
and rested his head on his hand, while the “ Light Infantry ” 
ceased their military movements, and waited the issue in 
suspense. 

In less than a minute Edwards came rushing down the 
hill, followed by Major Hartmann with a velocity that was 
surprising for his years. They reached the terrace in an 
instant, from which the youth led the way, by the hollow 
in the rock, to the mouth of the cave, into which they both 
entered ; leaving all without silent, and gazing after them 
with astonishment. 


CHAPTER XL. 

* 

I am dumb. 

Were you the Doctor, and I knew you not ? 

^ Shakspeare. 

During the five or six minutes that elapsed before the 
youth and Major re-appeared, Judge Temple and the Sheriff, 
together with most of the volunteers, ascended to the ter- 
race, where the latter began to express their conjectures of 
the result, and to recount their individual services in the 
conflict. But the sight of the peace-makers ascending the 
ravine shut every mouth. 

On a rude chair, covered with undressed deerskins, they 
supported a human being, whom they seated carefully and 
respectfully in the midst of the assembly. His head was 
' covered by long smooth locks of the color of snow. His 
' dress, which was studiously neat and clean, was composed 
i of such fabrics as none but the wealthiest classes wear, but 
j was threadbare and patched ; and on his feet were placed a 
j pair of moccasins, ornamented in the best manner of Indian 
ingenuity. The outlines of his face were grave and digni- 
j fied, though his vacant eye, which opened and turned slowly 
j to the faces of those around him in unmeaning looks, too 
surely announced that the period had arrived, when age 
* brings the mental imbecility of childhood. 

L Xatty had followed the supporters of this unexpected 
i I object to the top of the cave, and took his station at a little 
; distance behind him, leaning on his rifle, in the midst of his 
I pursuers, with a fearlessness that showed that heavier inter- 
ilests than those which affected himself were to be decided. 
Major Hartmann placed himself beside the aged man, un- 
ficovered, with his whole soul beaming through those eyes 
Iwhich so commonly danced with frolic and humor. Edwards 
I 457 


458 


THE PIONEERS. 


rested with one hand familiarly, but affectionately, on the 
chair, though his heart was swelling with emotions that 
denied him utterance. 

All eyes were gazing intently, but each tongue continued 
mute. At length the decrepit stranger, turning his vacant 
looks from face to face, made a feeble attempt to rise, while 
a faint smile crossed his wasted face, like an habitual effort 
at courtesy, as he said, in a hollow, tremulous voice — ^ 

Be pleased to be seated, gentlemen. The council will 
open immediately. Each one who loves a good and virt- 
uous king, will wish to see these colonies continue loyal. 
Be seated — I pray you, be seated, gentlemen. The troops 
shall halt for the night.’’ 

This is the wandering of insanity ! ” said Marmaduke ; 

who will explain this scene ? ” 

“No, sir,” said Edwards, firmly, “ ’tis only the decay of 
nature ; who is answerable for its pitiful condition, remains 
to be shown.” 

“ Will the gentlemen dine with us, my son ? ” said the 
old stranger, turning to a voice that he both knew and 
loved. “ Order a repast suitable for His Majesty’s officers. 
You know we have the best of game always at command.” 

“ Who is this man ? ” asked Marmaduke, in a hurried j 
voice, in which the dawnings of conjecture united with 
interest to put the question. 

“ This man ! ” returned Edwards, calmly, his voice, how- 
ever, gradually rising as he proceeded ; “ this man, sir, whom 
you behold hid in caverns, and deprived of everything that 
can make life desirable, was once the companion and coun-j 
sellor of those who ruled your country. This man, whom 
you see helpless and feeble, was once a warrior, so brave 
and fearless, that even the intrepid natives gave him the 
name of the Eire-eater. This man, whom you now see desti- 
tute of even the ordinary comfort of a cabin in which to 
shelter his head, was once the owner of great riches ; and. 
Judge Temple, he was the rightful proprietor of this very 
soil on which we stand. This man was the father of — ” 

“ This, then,” cried Marmaduke, with a powerful emotion, 
“ this, then, is the lost Major Effingham ! ” 


THE PIONEERS. 


459 

^^Lost indeed/^ said the youth, fixing a piercing eye on 
the other. 

•^And you! and you!’’ continued the Judge, articulat- 
ing with difficulty. 

I am his grandson.” 

A minute passed in profound silence. All eyes were 
fixed on the speakers, and even the old German appeared to 
wait the issue in deep anxiety. But the moment of agi- 
tation soon passed. Marmaduke raised his head from his 
bosom, where it had sunk, not in shame, but in devout men- 
tal thanksgivings, and, as large tears fell over his fine manly 
face, he grasped the hand of the youth warmly, and said — 

^‘Oliver, I forgive all thy harshness — all thy suspicions. 
I now see it all. I forgive thee everything, but suffering 
this aged man to dwell in such a place, when not only my 
habitation, but my fortune, were at his and thy command.” 
He’s true as ter steel ! ” shouted Major Hartmann ; 
titn’t I tell you, lat, dat Marmatuke Temple vast a frient 
dat woult never fail in ter dime as of neet ? ” 

It is true. Judge Temple, that my opinions of your con- 
duct have been staggered by what this worthy gentleman 
has told me. When I found it impossible to convey my 
grandfather back whence the enduring love of this old man 
brought him, without detection and exposure, I went to the 
Mohawk in quest of one of his former comrades, in whose 
justice I had dependence. He is your friend. Judge Tem- 
ple, but if what he says be true, both my father and myself 
may have judged you harshly.” 

^‘You name your father!” said Marmaduke, tenderly — 
was he, indeed, lost in the packet ? ” 

“ He was. He had left me, after several years of fruit- 
less application and comparative poverty, in Nova Scotia, 
to obtain the compensation for his losses which the British 
coinmissioners had at length awarded. After spending a 
year in England, he was returning to Halifax, on his way 
to a government to which he had been appointed, in the 
West Indies, intending to go to the place where my grand- 
father had sojourned during and since the war, and take 
him with us.” 


460 


THE PIONEERS. 


thou!^’ said Marmaduke, with powerful interest; 

I had thought that thou hadst perished with him.’^ 

A flush passed over the cheeks of the young man, who 
gazed about him at the wondering faces of the volunteers, 
and continued silent. Marmaduke turned to the veteran 
Captain, who just then rejoined his command, and said — 

“ March thy soldiers back again, and dismiss them ; the 
zeal of the Sheriff has much mistaken his duty. Dr. Todd, 
I will thank you to attend to the injury which Hiram Doo- 
little has received in this untoward affair. Richard, you 
will oblige me by sending up the carriage to the top of the 
hill. Benjamin, return to your duty in my family.’’ 

Unwelcome as these orders were to most of the auditors, 
the suspicion that they had somewhat exceeded the whole- 
some restraints of the law, and the habitual respect with 
which all the commands of the Judge were received, induced 
a prompt compliance. 

When they were gone, and the rock was left to the parties 
most interested in an explanation, Marmaduke, pointing to 
the aged Major Effingham, said to his grandson — 

Had we not better remove thy parent from this open 
place, until my carriage can arrive ? ” 

Pardon me, sir, the air does him good, and he has taken 
it whenever there was no dread of a discovery. I know not 
how to act. Judge Temple; ought I, can I, suffer Major 
Effingham to become an inmate of your family ? ” 

“Thou shalt be thyself the judge,” said Marmaduke. 
“ Thy father was my early friend. He intrusted his fort- 
une to my care. When we separated, he had such con- 
fidence in me, that he wished no security, no evidence of the 
trust, even had there been time or convenience for exacting 
it. This thou hast heard ? ” 

“ Most truly, sir,” said Edwards, or rather Effingham, as 
we must now call him. 

“We differed in politics. If the cause of this country 
was successful, the trust was sacred with me, for none knew 
of thy father’s interest. If the crown still held its sway, 
it would be easy to restore the property of so loyal a subject 
as Colonel Effingham. Is not this plain ? ” 


THE PIONEERS. 


461 


The premises are good, sir,” continued the youth, with 
the same incredfllous look as before. 

Listen — listen, poy,” said the German. Dere is not a 
hair as of ter rogue in ter het of her Tchooge.” 

We all know the issue of the struggle,” continued Mar- 
maduke, disregarding both. “ Thy grandfather was left in 
Connecticut, regularly supplied by thy father with the 
means of such a subsistence as suited his wants. This I 
well knew, though I never had intercourse with him, even 
in our happiest days. Thy father retired with the troops 
to prosecute his claims on England. At 'all events, his 
losses must be great, for his real estates were sold, and I 
became the lawful purchaser. It was not unnatural to wish 
that he might have no bar to its just recovery.” 

There was none but the difficulty of providing for so 
many claimants.” 

“ But there would have been one, and an insuperable one, 
had 1 announced to the world that I held these estates, mul- 
tiplied, by the times and my industry, a hundredfold in value, 
only as his trustee. Thou knowest that I supplied him with 
considerable sums, immediately after the war.” 

You did, until — ” 

^^My letters were returned unopened. Thy father had 
much of thy own spirit, Oliver; he was sometimes hasty 
and rash.” The Judge continued, in a self-condemning 
manner — “ Perhaps my fault lies the other Avay ; I may 
possibly look too far ahead, and calculate too deeply. It 
certainly was a severe trial to allow the man whom I most 
loved, to think ill of me for seven years, in order that he 
might honestly apply for his just remunerations. But had 
he opened my last letters, thou wouldst have learned the 
whole truth. Those I sent him to England, by what my 
agent writes me, he did read. He died, Oliver, knowing all. 
He died, my friend, and I thought thou hadst died with 
him.” 

Our poverty would not permit us to pay for two pas- 
sages,” said the youth, with the extraordinary emotion with 
which he ever alluded to the degraded state of his family ; 
‘‘ I was left in the Province to wait for his return, and when 


462 


THE PIONEERS. 


the sad news of his loss reached me, I was nearly penni- 
less.’’ 

And what didst thou, boy ? ” asked Marmaduke in a 
faltering voice. 

‘‘ I took my passage here in search of my grandfather ; 
for I well knew that his resources were gone, with the half- 
pay of my father. On reaching his abode, I learnt that he 
had left it in secret ; though the reluctant hireling, who had 
deserted him in his poverty, owned to my urgent entreaties, 
that he believed he had been carried away by an old man 
who had formerly been his servant. I knew at once it was 
hTatty, for my father often — ” 

^‘Was Natty a servant of thy grandfather?” exclaimed 
the Judge. 

^^Of that, too, were you ignorant?” said the youth, in 
evident surprise. 

‘^How should I know it? I never met the Major, nor 
was the name of Bumppo ever mentioned to me. I knew 
him only as a man of the woods, and one who lived by hunt- 
ing. Such men are too common to excite surprise.” 

He was reared in the family of my grandfather ; served 
him for many years during their campaigns at the west, 
where he became attached to the woods ; and he was left 
here as a kind of locum tenens on the lands that old Mohe- 
gan (whose life my grandfather once saved) induced the 
Delawares to grant to him, when they admitted him as an 
honorary member of their tribe.” 

This, then, is thy Indian blood ? ” 

I have no other,” said Edwards, smiling ; Major Effing- 
ham was adopted as the son of Mohegan, who at that time 
was the greatest man in his nation; and my father, who 
visited those people when a boy, received the name of the 
Eagle from them, on account of the shape of his face, as I 
understand. They have extended his title to me. I have 
no other Indian blood or breeding ; though I have seen the 
hour, J udge Temple, when I could wish that such had been 
my lineage and education.” 

‘‘Proceed with thy tale,” said Marmaduke. 

“ I have but little more to say, sir. I followed to the lake 


THE PIONEERS. 


463 


where I had so often been told that Natty dwelt, and found 
him maintaining his old master in secret j for even he could 
not bear to exhibit to the world, in his poverty and dotage, 
a man whom a whole people once looked up to with respect.’’ 

And what did you ? ” 

What did I ! I spent my last money in purchasing a 
rifle, clad myself in a coarse garb, and learned to be a hunter 
by the side of Leather-stocking. You know the rest. Judge 
Temple.” 

“ Ant vere vast olt Fritz Hartmann ? ” said the German, 
reproachfully ; didst never hear a name as. of olt Fritz 
Hartmann from ter mout of ter fader, lat ? ” 

^‘1 may have been mistaken, gentlemen,” returned the 
youth; ^^but I had pride, and could not submit to such an 
exposure as this day even has reluctantly brought to light. 
I had plans that might have been visionary; but, should 
my parent survive till autumn, I purposed taking him with 
me to the city, where we have distant relatives, who must 
have learnt to forget the Tory by this time. He decays 
rapidly,” he continued, mournfully, ‘‘ and must soon lie by 
the side of old Mohegan.” 

The air being pure, and the day fine, the party continued 
conversing on the rock, until the wheels of Judge Temple’s 
carriage were heard clattering up the side of the mountain, 
during which time the conversation was maintained with deep 
interest, each moment clearing up some doubtful action, and 
lessening the antipathy of the youth to Marmaduke. He no 
longer objected to the removal of his grandfather, who dis- 
played a childish pleasure when he found himself seated 
once more in a carriage. When placed in the ample hall 
of the mansion-house, the eyes of the aged veteran turned 
slowly to the objects in the apartment, and a look like the 
dawn of intellect would, for moments, flit across his features, 
when he invariably offered some useless courtesies to those • 
near him, wandering painfully in his subjects. The exer- 
cise and the change soon produced an exhaustion that 
caused them to remove him to his bed, where he lay for 
hours, evidently sensible of the change in his comforts, and 
exhibiting that mortifying picture of human nature, which 


464 


THE PIONEERS. 


too plainly shows that the propensities of the animal con- 
tinue even after the nobler part of the creature appears to 
have vanished. 

Until his parent was placed comfortably in bed, with 
Natty seated at his side, Effingham did not quit him. He 
then obej^ed a summons to the library of the Judge, where 
he found the latter, with Major Hartmann, waiting for him. 

Eead this paper, Oliver,’’ said Marmaduke to him, as he 
entered, and thou wilt find that, so far from intending thy 
family wrong during life, it has been my care to see that 
justice should be done at even a later day.” 

The youth took the paper, which his first glance told him 
was the will of the Judge. Hurried and agitated as he was, 
he discovered that the date corresponded with the time of 
the unusual depression of Marmaduke. As he proceeded, 
his eyes began to moisten, and the hand which held the 
instrument shook violently. 

The will commenced with the usual forms, spun out by 
the ingenuity of Mr. Van der School; but after this sub- 
ject was fairly exhausted, the pen of Marmaduke became 
plainly visible. In clear, distinct, manly, and even eloquent ; 
language, he recounted his obligations to Colonel Effingham, r 
the nature of their connexion, and the circumstances in^i 
which they separated. He then proceeded to relate thej 
motives of his long silence, mentioning, however, large sums i 
that he had forwarded to his friend, which had been re- 1 
turned with the letters unopened. After this, he spoke of i 
his search for the grandfather, who had unaccountably dis- 
appeared, and his fears that the direct heir of the trust was | 
buried in the ocean with his father. 

After, in short, recounting in a clear narrative the events ji 
which our readers must now be able to connect, he pro-l 
ceeded to make a fair and exact statement of the sums left J 
in his care by Colonel Effingham. A devise of his wholej 
estate to certain responsible trustees followed ; to hold thej 
same for the benefit, in equal moieties, of his daughter, onj 
one part, and of Oliver Effingham, formerly a major in the J 
army of Great Britain, and of his son, Edward Effingham® 
and of his son Edward Oliver Effingham, or to the survivor 


THE PIONEERS. 


465 


of them, and the descendants of such survivor, for ever, on 
the other part. The trust was to endure until 1810, when, 
if no person appeared, or could be found, after sufficient 
notice, to claim the moiety so devised, then a certain sum, 
calculating the principal and interest of his debt to Colonel 
Effingham, was to be paid to the heirs at law of the Effing- 
ham family, and the bulk of his estate was to be conveyed 
in fee to his daughter, or her heirs. 

The tears fell from the eyes of the young man, as he read 
this undeniable testimony of the good faith of Marmaduke, 
and his bewildered gaze was still fastened on the paper, 
when a voice, that thrilled on every nerve, spoke near him, 
saying — 

Do you yet doubt us, Oliver ? ” 

I have never doubted you ! cried the youth, recovering 
his recollection and his voice, as he sprang to seize the hand 
of Elizabeth; ^^no, not one moment has my faith in you 
wavered.’’ 

“ And my father — ” 

God bless him ! ” 

thank thee, my son,” said the Judge, exchanging a 
warm pressure of the hand with the youth ; but we have 
both erred ; thou hast been too hasty, and I have been too 
slow. One-half of my estates shall be thine as soon as they 
can be conveyed to thee ; and if what my suspicions tell me 
be true, I suppose the other must follow speedily.” He 
took the hand which he held, and united it with that of his 
daughter, and motioned towards the door to the Major. 

“ I telt you vat, gal ? ” said the ,old German, good-hu- 
moredly ; ^Gf I vast as I vast ven I servit mit his grandfader 
on ter lakes, ter lazy tog shouldn’t vin ter prize as for 
nottin.” 

^^Come, come, old Fritz,” said the Judge; ^'you are sev- 
enty, not seventeen ; Richard waits for you with a bowl of 
egg-nog, in the hall.” 

Richart ! ter duy vel ! ” exclaimed the other, hastening 
out of the room ; “ he makes ter nog ast for ter horse. I 
vilt show ter Sheriff mit my own hants ! Ter duyvel ! I 

r elieve he sweetens mit ter yankee melasses ! ” 

2h 


466 


THE PIONEERS. 


Marmaduke smiled and nodded affectionately at the young 
couple^ and closed the door after them. If any of onr readers 
expect that we are going to open it again, for their gratifi- 
cation, they are mistaken. 

The tete-a-tete continued for a very unreasonable time; 
how long we shall not say ; but it was ended by six o’clock 
in the evening, for at that hour Monsieur Le Quoi made his 
appearance agreeably to the appointment of the preceding 
day, and claimed the ear of Miss Temple. He was admitted; 
when he made an offer of his hand, with much suavity, to- 
gether with his amis beeg and leet’, his pere, his mere, and 
his sucre-boosh.” Elizabeth might, possibly, have previously 
entered into some embarrassing and binding engagements 
with Oliver, for she declined the tender of all, in terms as 
polite, though perhaps a little more decided, than those in 
which they were made. 

The Erenchman soon joined the German and the Sheriff 
in the hall, who compelled him to take a seat with them at 
the table, where, by the aid of punch, wine, and egg-nog, ’ 
they soon extracted from the complaisant Monsieur Le Quoi 
the nature of his visit. It was evident that he had made 
the offer, as a duty which a well-bred man owed to a lady 
in such a retired place before he left the country, and that , 
his feelings were but very little, if at all, interested in the . 
matter. After a few potations, the waggish pair persuaded V 
the exhilarated Erenchman that there was an inexcusable J 
partiality in offering to one lady, and not extending a simi-| 
lar courtesy to another. Consequently, about nine, Mon-j 
sieur Le Quoi sallied forth to the Eectory, on a similar 
mission to Miss Grant, which proved as successful as his ■ 
first effort in love. «| 

When he returned to the mansion-house, at ten, Eichardll 
and the Major were still seated at the table. They attempted! 
to persuade the Gaul, as the Sheriff called him, that hell 
should next try Eeniarkable Pettibone. But, though stimU'S 
lated by mental excitement and wine, two hours of abstrus^ 
logic were thrown away on this subj ect ; for he declined theiH 
advice, with a pertinacity truly astonishing in so polity 
a man. a 


THE PIONEERS. 467 

When Benjamin lighted Monsieur Le Quoi from the door, 
he said, at parting — 

so be, Mounsheer, you’d run alongside Mistress Pretty- 
bones, as the Squire Dickens was bidding ye, ’tis my notion 
you’d have been grappled; in which case, d’ye see, you 
mought have been troubled in swinging clear again in a 
handsome manner; for thof Miss Lizzy and the parson’s 
young’un be tidy little vessels, that shoot by a body on 
a wind, Mistress Bemarkable is sum’mat of a galliot fash- 
ion ; when you once takes ’em in tow, they doesn’t like to 
be cast off again.” 


CHAPTER XLI. 


Yes, sweep ye on ! — We will not leave, 

For them who triumph those who grieve. 

With that armada gay 
Be laughter loud, and jocund shout — 

— But with that skifE 

Abides the minstrel tale. ■ 

Lord of the Isles. 

The events of our tale carry us through the summer ; and ‘ 
after making nearly the circle of the year, we must con-^ 
elude our labors in the delightful month of October. Many^ 
important incidents had, however, occurred in the inter— 
vening period; a few of which it may be necessary to 
recount. 

The two principal were the marriage of Oliver and Eliza-" 
beth, and the death of Major Effingham. They both took 
place early in September; and the former preceded the latter i 
only a few days. The old man passed away like the last 
glimmering of a taper; and though his death cast a melan^ 
choly over the family, grief could not follow such an end. j : 

One of the chief concerns of Marmaduke was to reconcile i 
the even conduct of a magistrate with the course that liis ] 
feelings dictated to the criminals. The day succeeding the ] 
discovery at the cave, however, Hatty and Benjamin re- ’ 
entered the jail peaceably, where they continued, well fed i 
and comfortable, until the return of an express to Albany, j 
who brought the Governor’s pardon to the Leather-stocking. | 
In the meantime, proper means were employed to satisfy ; 
Hiram for the assaults on his person ; and on the same day, 
the two comrades issued together into society again, with' 
their characters not at all affected by the imprisonment. 

Mr. Doolittle began to discover, that neither architecture^., 
nor his law, was quite suitable to the growing wealth and 

468 

it 


THE PIONEERS. 


469 


intelligence of the settlement; and after exacting the last 
cent that was attainable in his compromises, to use the lan- 
guage of the country, he “pulled up stakes,’’ and proceeded 
further west, scattering his professional science and legal 
learning through the land ; vestiges of both of which are to 
be discovered there even to the present hour. 

Poor Jotham, whose life paid the forfeiture of his folly, 
acknowledged before he died, that his reasons for believing 
in a mine were extracted from the lips of a sibyl, who, by 
looking in a magic glass, was enabled to discover the hidden 
treasures of the earth. Such superstition was frequent in 
the new settlements ; and after the first surprise was over, 
the better part of the community forgot the subject. But, 
at the same time that it removed from the breast of Bichard 
a lingering suspicion of the acts of the three hunters, it 
conveyed a mortifying lesson to him, which brought many 
quiet hours, in future, to his cousin Marmaduke. It may 
be remembered, that the Sheriff confidently pronounced this 
to be no “ visionary ” scheme, and that word was enough to 
shut his lips, at any time within the next ten years. 

Monsieur Le Quoi, who has been introduced to our readers, 
because no picture of that country would be faithful without 
some such character, found the island of Martinique, and 
his “ sucre-boosh,” in possession of the English; but Marma- 
duke and his family were much gratified in soon hearing 
that he had returned to his bureau, in Paris; where he 
afterwards issued yearly bulletins of his happiness, and of 
his gratitude to his friends in America. 

With this brief explanation, we must, return to our narra- 
; tive. Let the American reader imagine one of our mildest 
October mornings, when the sui;i seems a ball of silvery fire, 
and the elasticity of the air is felt while it is inhaled, 
imparting vigor and life to the whole system; the weather, 
neither too warm nor too cold, but of that happy temperature 
which stirs the blood, without bringing the lassitude of 
spring. It was on such a morning, about the middle of the 
month, that Oliver entered the hall where Elizabeth was 
issuing her usual orders for the day, and requested her to 
join him in a short excursion to the lake "Side. The tender 


470 


THE PIONEERS. 


melancholy in the manner of her husband caught the atten- 
tion of Elizabeth, who instantly abandoned her concerns, 
threw a light shawl across her shoulders, and concealing 
her raven hair under a gipsy, she took his arm, and sub- 
mitted herself, without a question, to his guidance. They 
crossed the bridge, and had turned from the highway, along 
the margin of the lake, before a word was exchanged. 
Elizabeth well knew, by the direction, the object of the 
walk, and respected the feelings of her companion too much 
to indulge in untimely conversation. But when they gained 
the open fields, and her eye roamed over the placid lake, 
covered with wild fowl a^ "ready journeying from the great 
northern waters to seek a warmer sun, but lingering to play i 
in the limpid sheet of the Otsego, and to the sides of the 
mountain, which were gay with the thousand dyes of : 
autumn, as if to grace their bridal, the swelling heart of • 
the young wife burst out in speech. i 

‘‘This is not a time for silence, Oliver! ” she said, cling- 1 
ing more fondly to his arm; “everything in nature seems : 
to speak the praises of the Creator; why should we, who '' 
have so much to be grateful for, be silent?’’ > 

“ Speak on ! ” said her husband, smiling ; “ I love the | 
sounds of your voice. You must anticipate our errand ■ 
hither: I have told you my plans: how do you like them?” 

“I must first see them,” returned his wife. “But I have 
had my plans too; it is time I should begin to divulge 
them.” 

“You! It is something for the comfort of my old friend 
Natty, I know.” 

“Certainly of Natty; but we have other friends besides 
the Leather-stocking to serve. Do you forget Louisa, and 
her father? ” 

“No, surely; have I not given one of the best farms in 
the county to the good divine? As for Louisa, I should wish 
you to keep her always near us.” 

“You do! ” said Elizabeth, slightly compressing her lips; 
“but poor Louisa may have other views for herself; she 
may wish to follow my example, and marry.” 

“I don’t think it,” said Effingham, musing a moment; 


THE PIONEEES. . 471 

I really don’t know any one hereabouts good enough for 
her.” 

“Perhaps not here; but there are other places besides 
Templeton, and other churches besides ‘New St. Paul’s.’ ” 

“Churches, Elizabeth! you would not wish to lose Mr. 
Grant, surely 1 Though simple, he is an excellent man. I 
shall never find another who has half the veneration for my 
orthodoxy. You would humble me from a saint to a very 
common sinner.” 

“It must be done, sir,” returned the lady, with a half- 
concealed smile, “ though it degrades you from an angel to 
a man.” 

“But you forget the farm.” 

“ He can lease it, as others do. Besides, would you have 
a clergyman toil in the fields?” 

“Where can he go? you forget Louisa.” 

“No, I do not forget Louisa,” said Elizabeth, again com- 
pressing her beautiful lips. “You know, Eifingham, that 
my father has told you that I ruled him, and that I should 
rule you. I am now about to exert my power.” 

“ Anything, anything, dear Elizabeth, but not at the ex- 
pense of us all; not at the expense of your friend.” 

I “ How do you know, sir, that it will be so much at the 
I expense of my friend?” said the lady, fixing her eyes with 
a searching look on his countenance, where they met only 
the unsuspecting expression of manly regret. 

“How do I know it? why, it is natural that she should 
regret us.” 

“It is our duty to struggle with our natural feelings,” 

I returned the lady; “and there is but little cause to fear 
that such a spirit as Louisa’s will not effect it.” 

“But what is your plan?” 

“ Listen, and you shall know. My father has procured a 
call for Mr. Grant, to one of the towns on the Hudson, 
where he can live more at his ease than in jouriT^ying 
! through these woods; where he can spend the evening of 
his life in comfort and quiet; and where his daughter may 
meet with such society, and form such a connexion, as may 
be proper for one of her years and character.” 


472 


THE PIONEERS. 


“ Bess ! you amaze me ! I did not think you had been such 
a manager ! ” 

^‘Oh! I manage more deeply than you imagine, sir,” said 
the wife, archly smiling again; “but it is my will, and it is 
your duty to submit, — for a time at least.” 

Effingham laughed; but as they approached the end of 
their walk, the subject was changed by common consent. 

The place at which they arrived was the little spot of 
level ground, where the cabin of the Leather-stocking had 
so long stood. Elizabeth found it entirely cleared of rub- 
bish, and beautifully laid down in turf, by the removal of 
sods, which, in common with the surrounding country, had 
grown gay, under the influence of profuse showers, as if 
a second spring had passed over the land. This little place 
was surrounded by a circle of mason-work, and they entered 
by a small gate, near which, to the surprise of both, the 
rifle of Natty was leaning against the wall. Hector and 
the slut reposed on the grass by its side, as if conscious 
that, however altered, they were lying on the ground, and 
were surrounded by objects, with which they were familiar. 
The hunter himself was stretched on the earth, before a 
head-stone of white marble, pushing aside with his fingers 
the long grass that had already sprung up from the luxuri- 
ant soil around its base, apparently to lay bare the inscrip- 
tion. By the side of this stone, which was a simple slab at 
the head of a grave, stood a rich monument, decorated with 
an urn, and ornamented with the chisel. 

Oliver and Elizabeth approached the graves with a light 
tread, unheard by the old hunter, whose sunburnt face was 
working, and whose eyes twinkled as if something impeded 
their vision. After some little time. Natty raised himself 
slowly from the ground, and said aloud — 

“Well, well — I^m bold to say it’s all right! There’s 
something that I suppose is reading; but I can’t make any- 
thing^of it; though the pipe and the tomahawk, and the 
moccasins, be pretty well — pretty well, for a man that, I 
dares to say, never seed ’ither of the things. Ah’s me! 
there they lie, side by side, happy enough! Who will 
there be to put me in the ’arth when my time comes?” 


THE PIONEERS. 


473 


“When that unfortunate hour arrives, Natty, friends 
shall not be wanting to perform the last offices for you,’’ 
said Oliver, a little touched at the hunter’s soliloquy. 

The old man turned, without manifesting surprise, for he 
had got the Indian habits in this particular, and running 
his hand under the bottom of his nose, seemed to wipe away 
his sorrow with the action. 

“You’ve come out to see the graves, children, have ye?” 
he said; “well, Avell, they’re wholesome sights to young as 
well as old.” 

“I hope they are fitted to your liking,” said Effingham; 
“ no one has a better right than yourself to be consulted in 
the matter.” 

“Why, seeing that I an’t used to fine graves,” returned 
the old man, “ it is but little matter consarning my taste. 
Ye laid the Major’s head to the west, and Mohegan’s to the 
east, did ye, lad? ” 

“At your request it was done.” 

“It’s so best,” said the hunter; “they thought they had 
to journey different ways, children; though there is One 
greater than all, who’ll bring the just together, at His own 
time, and who’ll whiten the skin of a black-moor, and place 
him on a footing with princes.” 

“There is but little reason to doubt that,” said Elizabeth, 
whose decided tones were changed to a soft, melancholy 
voice; “I trust we shall all meet again, and be happy 
together.” 

“Shall we, child, shall we?” exclaimed the hunter, with 
unusual fervor; “there’s comfort in that thought too. But 
before I go, I should like to know what ’tis you tell these 
people, that be flocking into the country like pigeons in the 
spring, of the old Delaware, and of the bravest white man 
that ever trod the hills.” 

Effingham and Elizabeth were surprised at the manner of 
the Leather-stocking, which was unusually impressive and 
solemn; but, attributing it to the scene, the young man 
turned to the monument, and read aloud — 

“‘Sacred to the memory of Oliver Effingham, Esquire, 
formerly a Major in His B. Majesty’s 60th Foot; a soldier 


474 


THE PIONEERS. 


of tried valor ; a subject of chivalrous loyalty ; and a man of 
honesty. To these virtues, he added the graces of a Chris- 
tian. The morning of his life was spent in honor, wealth, 
and power; but its evening was obscured by poverty, neg- 
lect, and disease, which were alleviated only by the tender 
care of his old, faithful, and upright friend and attendant, 
Nathaniel Bumppo. His descendants rear this stone to the 
virtues of the master, and to the enduring gratitude of the 
servant. ’ ” 

The Leather-stocking stared at the sound of his own name, 
and a smile of joy illumined his wrinkled features, as he 
said — 

And did ye say it, lad? have you then got the old man’s 
name cut in the stone, by the side of his master’s? God 
bless ye, children! ’twas a kind thought, and kindness goes 
to the heart as life shortens.” 

Elizabeth turned her back to the speakers. Effingham 
made a fruitless effort before he succeeded in saying — • 

“ It is there cut in plain marble ; but it should have been 
written in letters of gold ! ” 

“ Show me the name, boy,” said Natty, with simple eager- 
ness ; “ let me see my own name placed in such honor. ’Tis 
a gin’rous gift to a man who leaves none of his name and fam- 
ily behind him, in a country where he has tarried so long.” 

Effingham guided his finger to the spot, and Natty fol- 
lowed the windings of the letters to the end with deep 
interest, when he raised himself from the tomb, and said — 
“1 suppose it’s all right; and it’s kindly thought, and 
kindly done! But what have ye put over the red-skin? ” 
^^You shall hear — 

“ ‘ This stone is raised to the memory of an Indian Chief, 
of the Delaware tribe, who was known by the several names 
of John Mohegan, Mohican — ’ ” 

‘‘ Mo-hee-can, lad, they call theirselves ! ’he-can.” 

‘ Mohican, and Chingagook — ’ ” 

“’Gach, boy; ’gach-gook; Chingachgook, which, intar- 
preted, means Big Sarpent. The name should be set down 
right, for an Indian’s name has always some meaning in it.” 

I will see it altered. ‘He was the last of his people who 


THE PIONEERS. 


475 


continued to inhabit this country ; and it may be said of him, 
that his faults were those of an Indian, and his virtues those 
of a man.’ ” 

“You never said truer word, Mr. Oliver; ah’s me! if you 
had know’d him as I did, in his prime, in that very battle 
where the old gentleman, who sleeps by his side, saved his 
life, when them thieves, the Iroquois, had him at the stake, 
you’d have said all that, and more too. I cut the thongs 
with this very hand, and gave him my own tomahawk and 
knife, seeing that the rifle was always my fav’rite weapon. 
He did lay about him like a man! I met him as I was 
coming home from the trail, with eleven Mingo scalps on 
his pole. You needn’t shudder. Madam Effingham, for 
they was all from shaved heads and warriors. When I 
look about me, at these hills, where I used to could count 
sometimes twenty smokes, curling over the tree-tops, from 
the Delaware camps, it raises mournful thoughts, to think 
that not a red-skin is left of them all ; unless it be a drunken 
vagabond from the Oneidas, or them Yankee Indians, who, 
they say, be moving up from the sea-shore ; and who belong 
to none of God’s creators, to my seeming, being, as it were, 
neither fish nor flesh — neither white man nor savage. 
Well, well! the time has come at last, and I must go — ” 

“Go! ” echoed Edwards, “whither do you go?” 

The Leather-stocking, who had imbibed, unconsciously, 
many of the Indian qualities, though he always thought of 
himself as of a civilized being, compared with even the 
Delawares, averted his face to conceal the workings of his 
muscles, as he stooped to lift ar large pack from behind the 
tomb, which he placed deliberately on his shoulders. 

“ Go ! ” exclaimed Elizabeth, approaching him with a hur- 
ried step ; “ you should not venture so far in the woods alone, 
at your time of life, Hatty; indeed, it is imprudent. He 
is bent, Effingham, on some distant hunting.” 

“What Mrs. Effingham tells you is true. Leather-stock- 
ing,” said Edwards; “there can be no necessity for your 
submitting to such hardships now! So throw aside your 
pack, and confine your hunt to the mountains near us, if 
you will go.” 


476 


THE PIONEERS. 


“Hardship! ^tis a pleasure, children, and the greatest 
that is left me on this side the grave.” 

“No, no; yon shall not go to such a distance,” cried 
Elizabeth, laying her white hand on his deerskin pack — “I 
am right I I feel his camp-kettle, and a canister of powder 1 
he must not be suffered to wander so far from us, Oliver ; 
remember how suddenly Mohegan dropped away.” 

“I know’d the parting would come hard, children; I 
know’d it would! ” said Natty, “and so I got aside to look at 
the graves by^ myself, and thought if I left ye the keepsake 
which the Major gave me, when we first parted in the woods, 
ye wouldn’t take it unkind, but would know, that, let the 
old man’s body go where it might, his feelings stayed 
behind him.” 

“ This means something more than common ! ” exclaimed 
the youth; “where is it. Natty, that you purpose going?” 

The hunter drew nigh him with a confident, reasoning air, 
as if what he had to say would silence all objections, and 
replied — 

“Why, lad, they tell me, that on the big lakes there’s 
the best of hunting, and a great range, without a white man 
on it, unless it may be one like myself. I’m weary of liv- ’ 
ing in clearings, and where the hammer is sounding in my 
ears from sunrise to sundown. And though I’m much 
bound to ye both, children — I wouldn’t say it if it was not 
true — I crave to go into the woods ag’in, I do.” 

“Woods!” echoed Elizabeth, trembling with her feel- 
ings; “do you not call these endless forests woods?” 

“Ah! child, these be nothing to a man that’s used to the 
wilderness. I have took but little comfort sin’ your father 
come on with his settlers ; but I wouldn’t go far, while the 
life was in the body that lies under the sod there. But now 
he’s gone, and Chingachgook is gone; and you be both 
young and happy. Yes ! the big house has rung with mer- 
riment this month past! And now, I thought, was the 
time to try to get a little comfort in the close of my days. 
Woods! indeed! I doesn’t call these woods. Madam Effing- 
ham, where I lose myself every day of my life in the 
clearings.” 


THE PIONEERS. 477 

If there be anything wanting to your comfort, name it, 
Leather-stocking; if it be attainable it is yours.” 

“You mean all for the best, lad; I know it; and so does 
Madam, too; but your ways isn’t my ways. ’Tis like the 
dead there, who thought, when the breath was in them, that . 
one went east, and one went west, to find their heavens; but 
they’ll meet at last; and so shall we, children. Yes, ind 
as you’ve begun, and we shall meet in the land of the just 
at last.” 

“ This is so new ! so unexpected ! ” said Elizabeth, in 
almost breathless excitement; “I had thought you meant 
to live with us and die with us. Natty.” 

“Words are of no avail,” exclaimed her husband; “the 
habits of forty years are not to be dispossessed by the ties 
of a day. I know you too well to urge you further, Natty; 
unless you will let me build you a hut on one of the distant 
hills, where we can sometimes see you, and know that you 
are comfortable.” 

“Don’t fear for the Leather-stocking, children; God will 
see that his days be provided for, and his ind happy. I 
know you mean all for the best, but our ways doesn’t agree. 

I love the woods, and ye relish the face of man ; I eat when 
hungry, and drink when adry; and ye keep stated hours 
and rules : nay, nay, you even overfeed the dogs, lad, from 
pure kindness ; and hounds should be gaunty to run well. 
The meanest of God’s creators be made for some use, and 
I’m formed for the wilderness ; if ye love me, let me go where 
my soul craves to be ag’in! ” 

The appeal was decisive ; and not another word of entreaty 
for him to remain was then uttered; but Elizabeth bent her 
head to her bosom and wept, while her husband dashed 
away the tears from his eyes ; and, with hands that almost 
refused to perform their office, he produced his pocket-book, 
and extended a parcel of bank-notes to the hunter. 

“Take these,” he said, “at least take these; secure them 
about your person, and in the hour of need, they will do 
you good service.” 

The old man took the notes, and examined them with a 
curious eye. 


478 


THE PIONEERS. 


“This, then, is some of the new-fashioned money that 
theyVe been making at Albany, out of paper! It can’t be 
worth much to they' that hasn’t laming! No, no, lad — 
take back the stuff ; it will do me no sarvice. I took kear 
to get all the Frenchman’s powder afore he broke up, and 
they say lead grows where I’m going. It isn’t even fit for 
wads, seeing that I use none but leather ! — Madam Effing- 
ham, let an old man kiss your hand, and wish God’s choicest 
blessings on you and your’n.” 

“ Once more let me beseech you, stay ! ” cried Elizabeth. 
“ Do not. Leather-stocking, leave me to grieve for the man 
who has twice rescued me from death, and who has served 
those I love so faithfully. For my sake, if not for your 
own, stay. I shall see you in those frightful dreams that 
still haunt my nights, dying in poverty and age, by the 
side of those terrific beasts you slew. There will be no 
evil, that sickness, want, and solitude can inflict, that my 
fancy will not conjure as your fate. Stay with us, old man, 
if not for your own sake, at least for ours.” 

“ Such thoughts and bitter dreams. Madam Effingham, ” 
returned the hunter, solemnly, “will never haunt an inno- 
cent parson long. They’ll pass away with God’s pleasure. 
And if the cat-a-mounts be yet brought to your eyes in 
sleep, ’tis not for my sake, but to show you the power of 
Him that led me there to save you. Trust in God, Madam, 
and your honorable husband, and the thoughts for an old 
man like me can never be long nor bitter. I pray that the 
Lord will keep you in mind — the Lord that lives in clear- 
ings as well as in the wilderness — and bless you, and all 
that belong to you, from this time till the great day when 
the whites shall meet the red-skins in judgment, and justice 
shall be the law, and not power.” 

Elizabeth raised her head, and offered her colorless cheek 
to his salute, when he lifted his cap and touched it respect- 
fully. His hand was grasped with convulsive fervor by the 
youth, who continued silent. The hunter prepared himself 
for his journey, drawing his belt tighter, and wasting his 
moments in the little reluctant movements of a sorrowful 
departure. Once or twice he essayed to speak, but a rising 


THE PIONEERS. 


479 


in his throat prevented it. At length he shouldered his 
rifle, and cried with a clear huntsman’s call that echoed 
through the woods — 

“He-e-e-re, he-e-e-re, pups — away, dogs, away; ye’ll 
be foot-sore afore ye see the ind of the journey ! ” 

The hounds leaped from the earth at this cry, and scent- 
ing around the graves and the silent pair, as if conscious 
of their own destination, they followed humbly at the heels 
of their master. A short pause succeeded, during which 
even the youth concealed his face on his grandfather’s tomb. 
When the pride of manhood, however, had suppressed the 
feelings of nature, he turned to renew his entreaties, but 
saw that the cemetery was occupied only by himself and 
his wife. 

“ He is gone ! ” cried Effingham. 

Elizabeth raised her face, and saw the old hunter stand- 
ing, looking back for a moment, on the verge of the wood. 
As he caught their glances, he drew his hard hand hastily 
across his eyes again, waved it on high for an adieu, and 
uttering a forced cry to his dogs, who were crouching at his 
feet, he entered the forest. 

This was the last that they ever saw of the Leather- 
stocking, whose rapid movements preceded the pursuit 
which Judge Temple both ordered and conducted. He had 
gone far towards the setting sun, — the foremost in that 
band of pioneers who are opening the way for the march of 
the nation across the continent. 


THE END. 







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